Sven Hassel, a former German soldier, wrote about 14 books after ww2 that were translated into many languages.
The first book 'Legion Of The Damned' was regarded as a true account of his experience in ww2 and a fore note at the front of the book describes it as his autobiography, though later like many autobiographies(Pappilon etc) was claimed to have used excessive artistic license.
It quickly became a cult classic inspiring another 13 books, loosely based on his own experiences but largely thought to have used much material based on other German soldiers stories.
This Movie, titled The Misfit Brigade was based roughly on his book Wheels of Terror.
I've read nearly all of Hassels books and found them greatly entertaining.
Even though the book is not entirely factual you get a fairly decent idea of what it was like from the German soldiers perspective during the war for a change. Filled with plenty of dry humour yet also quite brutal at times.
Although the movie doesn't do the book proper justice & it would have been a little less off putting not to have used the strong American & English accents, its good to know at least one of Sven Hassels books has been recognized & committed to film.
There are a few class actors Keith Caradine, David Patrick Kelly,Bruce Davison. Even Oliver Reid plays a cameo role as the general, albeit briefly.
Worth a look if your a Sven Hassel fan though hopefully someday a worthier tribute will be made to his books.
The first book 'Legion Of The Damned' was regarded as a true account of his experience in ww2 and a fore note at the front of the book describes it as his autobiography, though later like many autobiographies(Pappilon etc) was claimed to have used excessive artistic license.
It quickly became a cult classic inspiring another 13 books, loosely based on his own experiences but largely thought to have used much material based on other German soldiers stories.
This Movie, titled The Misfit Brigade was based roughly on his book Wheels of Terror.
I've read nearly all of Hassels books and found them greatly entertaining.
Even though the book is not entirely factual you get a fairly decent idea of what it was like from the German soldiers perspective during the war for a change. Filled with plenty of dry humour yet also quite brutal at times.
Although the movie doesn't do the book proper justice & it would have been a little less off putting not to have used the strong American & English accents, its good to know at least one of Sven Hassels books has been recognized & committed to film.
There are a few class actors Keith Caradine, David Patrick Kelly,Bruce Davison. Even Oliver Reid plays a cameo role as the general, albeit briefly.
Worth a look if your a Sven Hassel fan though hopefully someday a worthier tribute will be made to his books.