Slow pace in the most part of the movie.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Allegedly based on a true story, this is a moderately entertaining war film that would be twice as exciting at half the length. In fact, the real-life characters presented here are actually rather superficial and unappealing. They never arouse much audience interest because many of the characters exist as mere ciphers. Despite its present length, the film bears evidence of cutting. Possibly the rejected footage filled out and rounded the characters, so that they had some semblance of reality. But this material has presumably been jettisoned in favor of three big action sequences, namely the fight with the lumberjacks, the round-up of German prisoners, and the final climactic battle. These are extremely well staged although many viewers will find the battle scenes too realistically gory. Earlier on, however, there is an amusing sequence when the hand-to-hand combat instructor arrives at camp. Nevertheless, by and large, the screenplay loses most of its opportunities for dramatic suspense. Why not allow at least one of the trainees to escape from the camp? Loose direction doesn't help either and some of the special effects are faulty. Within the limitations of the screenplay, the performances are good, particularly Holden and Akins. Patric Knowles, superbly made up, is fleetingly glimpsed as Lord Mountbatten. Michael Rennie, Dana Andrews and James Craig are understandably perfunctory in two-second bits. Harry Carey Jr, who seems to turn up in many McLaglen films, has nothing to do but march around in the background of two or three shots. In fact the main trouble is that just none of the characters are developed. In common with most of the other credits, Clothier's color and 'Scope photography is competent but undistinguished.

Lt. Col. Fredrick is called upon by Army Top Brass to find a new way of breaking through the German lines in Norway. Fredrick recommends the creation of a new elite "special force" trained heavily in snow covered mountain combat. The brass agree and make Fredrick, an officer with no combat experience, its head. He accepts the task and brings Canadian troops fresh off the loss at Dunkirk together with outcast American troops, many of whom joined the new unit as an alternative to prison to form the first ever special force. The squad however, evokes no confidence from Command HQ and the Norway mission is called off but the unit before being totally disbanded, is allowed one chance to prove themselves in Italy. Great historical war film about the development of specialized infantry units in the US and Canadian armies.

Critically drubbed as another "Dirty Dozen" clone during its initial release, director Andrew V. McLaglen's "The Devil's Brigade" is a factual World War II epic about the First Special Service Force. This exciting, flavorful actioneer about combat during the Italian campaign is representative of the big-budgeted movies about World War II produced in the 1960s. This was McLaglen's first major film without either John Wayne or James Stewart as the star. William Holden stars along with Cliff Robertson, Vince Edwards, Dana Andrews, and Claude Akins. You'll recognize lots of other character actors, such as Jack Watson, Richard Jaeckel, Richard Dawson, and Michael Rennie. Clocking in at 131 minutes, "The Devil's Brigade" covers a lot of ground from the formation of the unit to the rivalry between the American and Canadian soldiers,and finally their baptism by fire in Italy. Although women appear in the bar brawl and Holden has a scene with a general's matronly secretary, the opposite sex is pretty much relegated to the periphery of the action. McLaglen does a good job of keeping the lumbering action in motion and "Magnificent Seven" scribe William Roberts inserts an interesting line or two. Lenser William Clothier captures the combat in several rugged settings and provides this war story will a virile look, while Alex North contributes an inspirational score.An American Colonel Colonel Fredericks (William Holden of "Picnic") with no battlefield experience receives orders to train a unit of American misfits and snappy Canadian troops for a mission that he had derided earlier as insane. This qualifies as a more eloquent as well as palatable version of "The Dirty Dozen." The singular drawn-back is the tragic ending that leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Nevertheless, the plot is never dull. Our spit and polish outfit completes their training only to learn to their chagrin that they have been relieved for mission in Norway for which they are designed. Momentarily, it appears that the Devil's Brigade will be broken up and the troops reassigned, but a determined Fredericks flies to Washington to see if he can keep the outfit alive. General Mark Clark (Michael Rennie of "Soldier of Fortune") takes them into his command and sends them out to capture German troops. Fredericks surprises not only Clark but also his second-in-command Major Generall Maxwell Hunter (Carol O'Connor)when he captures an entire village of Germans during an early morning raid.

This is the true story of how a group of American misfits were mixed with a first rate Canadian outfit, and how the leadership of Col. Frederick molded them into one of World War II's most effective fighting forces. Col. Frederick (William Holden) is one of the most inspirational officers ever portrayed in film, and can serve as a great role model for anyone looking to mature. The film contains more positive American values than any I've seen lately. This is an excellent big-movie treatment to a story well worth the telling --- now on DVD.In 1968 I might have scored this movie slightly lower, but not anymore. Back in 1945 and well into the 1970's, Hollywood was loaded with real life war hero's -- both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Most pictures reflected positive values and could inspire the young as to how to live their lives.In contrast, in 2007 we have a pathetic bunch of airheads and drug-heads with no knowledge (or contempt for) mainstream American values, now generating at least 9 movies intended to give aid and comfort to America's enemies in wartime --- and trash the memories of those who died in the September 11th terrorist attack.Compare William Holden's inspirational role in Devil's Brigade to on-again-off-again drug abuser Charlie Sheen (his name stolen from Bishop Fulton J Sheen) dazed and confused on TV -- ranting about toy airplanes crashing the World Trade Center. Yeegads!