Eight Iron Men is a WWII movie about a weary understrength squad that faces a dilemma in the rainy ruins of an Italian town. When the squad Sad Sack is pinned down by a German machine gun, the Squad Leader (Lee Marvin) wants to get him back but it has to be with approval of their Captain (Barney Phillips). Tensions mount as the German machine gun crew takes pot shots at the trapped GI and hidden sniper has the American position in his sights.
The lead of this film was Bonar Colleano, Who? He plays the squad's girl happy wise-cracking member, Colluci. He daydreams about women lead to funny fantasy sequence.
As the Captain, a supporting roles by Phillips that the strain of command is gnawing at him. His graying temples is a physical manifestation of the stress. It has been argued he was too old for the part. If that is case then nearly every actor in this film was as well. Contrary to popularly belief, not every American company commander was in their early twenties. Some were older. Mature men were needed to lead younger ones. That usually meant men who were over thirty.
A interesting film that has been overlooked.
Review of Eight Iron Men
