The Dirty Dozen is a movie that entertains. It’s running time is nearly three hours. Many long movies, end up losing money, and becoming colossal bores. The main reason for the Dirty Dozen’s appeal is Lee Marvin. He was a tough guy, before Bruce Willis and Charles Bronson. His portrayal of Major Reisman, is solid. Lee Marvin is able to play straight man to the comedic scenes in the film. He plays against John Cassavetes character of Victor Franco. Even though Reisman is career military, he skirts rules and regulations. He also has a general disdain for his superiors. It is this attitude, that gets him a dangerous assignment, from his superiors.
General Worden, (Ernest Borgnine), has called a meeting with Reisman, to detail his mission. He doesn’t like the major’s idea of independent thought, but is confident in his ability to execute the mission. The details involve training military prisoners:most who are facing a death sentence. They are to receive commando training, and storm a chalet in occupied France. The Nazi high command meets there, and also uses it as a social club. This mission is to be carried out, right before D-Day. The most interesting and entertaining parts of the movie, take place during training. A recruit is having trouble climbing a rope. Reisman fires a machine gun at him, to motivate him. Clint Walker, playing Samson Posey, has a good scene, with Marvin. Reisman wants to get him angry, and does. He proves a point, and says Posey will be good, if he controls his temper. In another scene, the prisoners refuse to bathe and shave with cold water. The major tells Sergeant Bowren, (Richard Jaeckel), to take away the razors and soap. He manages to get their respect by doing this.
Major Reisman and his Dirty Dozen, are being observed by the brass. They give bad reports to General Worden. It is suggested by Colonel Breed,(Robert Ryan), that Reisman’s men participate in war games, to prove themselves. Worden agrees to the idea. The Dirty Dozen, win the games, through unconventional tactics, and go on to the mission.
The team parachute into occupied France, and head to the heavily guarded chateau. They get in, but run into a problem, caused by one of their own. He is a lunatic, named Maggot, (Telly Savalas). Maggot stabs one of the women at the chateau. This brings heavy fire, endangering the mission. They get things under control, eliminating most of the Nazis, and blowing up the building. The mission is successful, but with the loss of most of the recruits. Afterwards, General Worden, tells Major Reisman, that the dead, will be listed as killed in battle.
The Dirty Dozen was based on the book, by E.M. Nathan’s, and adapted to the screen, by Nunnaly Johnson He was known for The Grapes of Wrath and The Gunfighter. He, along with Lukas Heller, have written good dialogue and given the audience a solid storyline. This makes it more than just a war picture.
Films are also helped by the supporting cast. One of them is Charles Bronson, playing Joseph Wladislaw. He had appeared in The Magnificent Seven and The Great Escape. The Dirty Dozen helped to make him one of the screen’s tough guys. He would become a box office draw after this movie. Ernest Borgnine specialized in bad guy/ tough guy roles, for many years. He doesn’t have a big role as General Worden, but gives it authority.
The premise of The Dirty Dozen works. Military movies don’t always do that. It is a male bonding film. The prisoners work together, because, its their last hope. Major Reisman identifies with them, because he is on the outside of organized society. These are the things that keep The Dirty Dozen, a coherent and enjoyable film.