Zone Troopers (1985)

In Italy, during World War II some American soldiers find an alien UFO.

Director:

Danny Bilson

Writers:

Danny Bilson, Paul De Meo

Stars:

Tim Thomerson, Timothy Van Patten, Art LaFleur

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tim Thomerson	...	The Sarge
Timothy Van Patten	...	Joey
Art LaFleur	...	Mittens
Biff Manard	...	Dolan
William Paulson	...	The Alien
Peter Boom	...	Col. Manheim
Max Turilli	...	SS Sgt. Zeller
Eugene Brell	...	The Radioman
John Leamer	...	The Lieutenant
Bruce McGuire	...	The Medic
Alviero Martin	...	The Fuhrer
Mike Manderville	...	SS Motorcyclist
Achille Brugnini	...	SS Radioman (as Archille Brunini)
Ole Jorgensen	...	SS Sentry
Peter Hintz	...	SS Corporal

Storyline

In Italy during WW II, a patrol of American soldiers discover a space ship that has crash-landed in the woods, and they come across its alien crew. A nearby Nazi unit also finds out about the alien craft, and sends a patrol to capture it and the Americans.

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Plot Keywords:

alien | soldier | american soldier | italy | ufo | 

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Taglines:

They Take War To A New Dimension.

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Genres:

War | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English German

Release Date:

April 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Miehitysjoukko

Filming Locations:

Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Altar Productions, Empire Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When the German Soldier shoots the Panzerfaust he fires it upside down. The trigger is on top along with the sight. You raise the front sight and press the top trigger bar.

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Crazy Credits

Buy War Bonds. Available in the lobby.

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Connections

References Pinocchio (1940)

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Soundtracks

"In the Mood"
Composed by Joe Garland
Published by Shapiro, Bernstein & Co., Inc.

User Reviews

A World War Two flick with aliens...why didn't I think of that?

Or why didn't someone with a larger film budget? Because this whole movie is a lot of fun. I just wish the special effects had been a little better. I'm sure that crashed spaceship mockup did cost them a pretty penny though.

The cheesiness of the low budget, reflected in the alien costumes and minimal military paraphenelia is about the only bad thing I found in this genre effort. Badmouthing this film is like kicking a friendly puppy. The writing was great, the acting was much better than it had any right to be, and even the directing was absolutely appropriate.

Yes, it is not realistic in the slightest. Yes, it is a version of World War 2 based not on the actual war, but based on other cheap movies about the War. And then it throws crash-landed aliens into the mix. But that just makes it so much more fun.

There's a standard low budget WW2 movie setup: ragtag group of GIs is caught behind German lines and has to fight their way out. Luckily, this is in Italy so the Germans are a little ways out on the end of their supply lines as well. We get all the standard war movie clichés: the gruff Sarge who can't die (Tim Thomerson), the comic relief kid from Brooklyn with his pulp magazines, the green Lieutenant just out of training school, the grizzled Corporal who's been through hell and high water with The Sarge (the Tom Sizemore role, here Art LaFleur) and the hard-bitten, cynical reporter/photographer who tags along.

Into this "haven't we seen this before a FEW times" setup comes strange goings-on in the form of a crash landed alien spaceship. And that, kids, is where things get interesting and fun. Things just get more ridiculous from there, with a blown-up spaceship, magical alien gizmos that make Rita Hayworth appear, and even a cameo appearance from Der Furher himself, just so one of the heroes can punch him right in the face. That's entertainment.

Do check out Zone Troopers, but make sure your tongue is planted firmly in cheek, as they say.