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The Devil's Brigade (1968)

An American colonel who has never been in combat is assigned to create a special forces unit from Canadian Army troops and a ragtag group of U.S. Army misfits.

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(screenplay), (based on the book by) | 1 more credit »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Jack Watson ...
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Bill Fletcher ...
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Tom Troupe ...
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Jean-Paul Vignon ...
Tom Stern ...
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Capt. Rose (as Harry Carey)
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Storyline

During World War II, a special fighting unit is formed that combines a crack Canadian Army unit and a conglomeration of U.S. Army misfits who had previously served time in military jails. After an initial period of conflict between the two groups, their enmity turns to respect and friendship, and the unit is sent Italy to attempt a dangerous mission that has heretofore been considered impossible to carry out. Written by Doug Sederberg <[email protected]>

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What they did to each other was nothing compared to what they did to the enemy!

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Action | Drama | War

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Details

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Release Date:

9 August 1968 (Ireland)  »

Also Known As:

A Brigada do Diabo  »

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Technical Specs

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(Westrex Recording System)

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2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie has some of Utah's most famous boxers. Gene Fullmer who was a world Middleweight champion famous for beating Sugar Ray Robinson twice. Gene's brother Don who was an American Middleweight Champion, and Rex Layne who once challenged Rocky Marciano for the World Heavyweight Championship. See more »

Goofs

At the birthday party in Italy, they are drinking 1960's Miller High Life Beer cans. See more »

Quotes

Maj. Alan Crown: ...The most memorable compliment came from their commandin' officer; and he referred to us as Der Teufel Brigade'... Members of The Devil's Brigade.
[Toasting Col. Frederick]
Maj. Alan Crown: Long life to the Devil!
[the Brigade cheers their Colonel]
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Crazy Credits

The copyright date in the opening credits is MCMXLVIII, which would be 1948, not 1968, when the film was actually produced. See more »

Connections

Referenced in McCloud: Give My Regrets to Broadway (1972) See more »

Soundtracks

You Always Hurt the One You Love
(uncredited)
Words by Allan Roberts and music by Doris Fisher
Sung by Ransom and a woman in the bar prior to the fight.
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User Reviews

 
Reasonably factual, entertaining ode to a great unit
22 October 2000 | by (Victoria, BC) – See all my reviews

The Devil's Brigade was indeed made up of Canadian elite and American cast-offs at the formation of the first US Special Forces unit, and this movie gives us the beginning of their amazing story. Most people are probably unaware that the Canadian army had such an influence on the initial training of this unit.

A lot of Americans probably won't like how their countrymen are portrayed at the outset compared to the Canadian "hand-picked, best-trained men in the best-trained army in the world" (in the word's of the unit's American commander, portrayed by Holden). But they should be proud of what they were raised up to become, and how they acquitted themselves in battle. It's particularly nice to see the Canadian army portrayed with the respect it richly deserves.

There's many amusing scenes in the movie, including my favorite, the mess-hall scene with the Canadian hand-to-hand combat instructor from the PPCLI and the oafish American soldier (who had been denigrating the Canadians up to that point).

A great WWII movie, worth watching whenever it's on. The Canadian History channel follows showings with an interview with one of the founding members of this unit, who vouches for the general portrayal of events (though he said he doesn't recall them marching into the Montana training camp on their arrival, as portrayed in the movie). The takeover of the German unit in the town was somewhat fictionalized, too, and is a composite of several events (but that's the movies for you).


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