The movie is kind of a re-run treat. It very closely follows the true story of the First Special Service Force. The commander is correctly identified as Lt. Colonel Robert Frederick and it did consist of both US and Canadian troops - about 500 Canadians and 1200 Americans. All were volunteers. The American criminal contingent is all Hollywood although as with all volunteer forces there will have been some with checkered pasts.
Training in the real unit was intense and the movie follows that training faithfully. The mountain assault really did happen that way. I have always considered the assault to be a highlight of cinematic combat action.
About the only thing missing is their real moniker - the Black Devils. In German it was the "Schwarzer Teufel" so named because of the black face paint used in night raids. They would attack and then flee into the night as if they were literal devils. The unit was disbanded on December 5, 1944 after only two years. All US special operations combat forces are said to be descended from this unit.
Cliff Robertson is masterful in the role of the Canadian commander. Jack Watson as Corporeal Peacock is one of my all time quirky characters.
Training in the real unit was intense and the movie follows that training faithfully. The mountain assault really did happen that way. I have always considered the assault to be a highlight of cinematic combat action.
About the only thing missing is their real moniker - the Black Devils. In German it was the "Schwarzer Teufel" so named because of the black face paint used in night raids. They would attack and then flee into the night as if they were literal devils. The unit was disbanded on December 5, 1944 after only two years. All US special operations combat forces are said to be descended from this unit.
Cliff Robertson is masterful in the role of the Canadian commander. Jack Watson as Corporeal Peacock is one of my all time quirky characters.