Technically based on attention to detail, story, acting and editing, the movie is a mess. BUT, it has always held a certain appeal to me. Maybe Gary is right about all those great looking M47s or maybe it is just seeing some of the iconic film legends together in this setting. Whatever it is, it is certainly NOT the worst war movie I have ever seen and, like Mitch and Gary, I bring it out from time to time.
As for the truly worst War Movie, WWII (most are) or otherwise, well the list is long but undistinguished, including more or less in order some of these I have had the misfortune to sample::
Inchon (1981), a much forgotten (and rightly so) "effort" about Korea that wasted a nice performance by Sir Lawrence Olivia and underfunded largely by Sun Myung Moon. It's cartoon cutout special effects just have to be seen to be believed.
Reign of the Gargoyles (2007), a WWII set film where gargoyles take down an American plane and the crew, aided by partisans, fight the monsters with a magical spear that had been taken from the grave of a knight. I kid you not, what more needs be said.
Lifeboat (1944), a WWII Allied ship and U-Boat sink each other. The lifeboat contains Allied survivors and an evil plotting Nazi Captain from the U-Boat. Trust me the premise is the best part, the rest makes watching grass grow a thrilling treat. And no, there is no redeeming acting.
Blubberella (2011), this is about, wait for it, an obsenely obese young lady who is a “dhampir,” or rather a human/vampire crossbreed. A vampire hunter, she is after a large part of the Nazi hierarchy. It also features Uwe Boll as writer, directer and star, playing Adolf Hitler. Intended as a spoof it only serves to make fun of itself.
Which Way to the Front (1970), a Jerry Lewis purported comedy entry that is neither Mash nor Kelly's Heroes. Lewis plays Brendan Beyers III, a patriotic millionaire and 90 pound weakling who after being rejected by the army finances his own private army of rejects to infiltrate Nazi Occupied Europe and win the war for the Allies. I never had a taste for Lewis movies but this one ranks with his worst.
Hustler Squad (1976), a maverick intelligence officer trains a squad of foxy call girls to go in and assassinate Tojo’s top generals who happen to be unwinding at a Filipino brothel, No I did not make that up either, rated as the second worst WWII of all time by IMDB.
Allies (2014), if you fancy a WWII reenactment with copious amounts of added CGI blood passed off as a film then this duds for you. You know you have a problem when the best moments are when an allied soldier will just seemingly teleport behind a Nazi and slit his throat with a knife. If they gave an award for stupid, this one would be in the running.
And then, who could forget
Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS (and its many ripoff contenders). This might be THE worst WWII film but I am not sure. I think I need to watch it again to be certain.
