I study this website praying for this film to be released on DVD I have worn out so many copies of this film on tape.
Why? well to be honest its not the best of war films and Michael Caine plays a part not unlike his character in 'Zulu' and the idea of having convicted criminals sent on a suicide mission in the desert to destroy a fuel dump has been done before (although the 'Dirty Dozen' was never a patch on this copy)
So why do I like this film? well simply because it is so dead pan
from start to finish (especially the finish) Michael Caine is the only one to show emotion and yet his band of thugs just laugh at him every step of the way, he wants to get the job done and they could'nt care less. And thats the whole attitude from the characters in the film to the people making the film everything appears to be so casual and laid back with an 'I dont care attitude' almost as if they are making it up as they go along.
I bet they started filming before they new how it would end and this surprisingly reflects well in the film.
Caine cant be bothered reporting to his superior officers he is to busy playing chess, Nigel Green cant be bothered to report to his superior officer either and finally turns up in front of his desk wearing a cardigan and sandals!
The soldiers cant be bothered with the mission, they cant be bothered unloading the lorries, they cant be bothered burying their dead comrades, they cant be bothered taking prisoners, they cant be bothered if the suns out and they even cant be bothered raising their arms in surrender.
One of the best scenes in the film is when Caine is introduced to his new team of villains and a run down of their crimes is fairly amusing and you actually think from the look of the actors that they are quite capable of commiting these crimes.
If you like Kellys Heroes, Too Late the Hero,The Dirty Dozen and all the other films of this kind then this will be one for you although be warned its no 'Private Ryan'.