Main Cast: William Holden, Cliff Robertson, Vince Edwards, Andrew Prine, Claude Akins
Release Year: 1968
Country: US
Run Time: 130 minutes
Plot
During the early days of World War II, while the United States was massing its forces for the war, England hastily plans commando raids against the German forces to keep them at bay until America's troops enter the war. As a part of this plan, the Allies create the 1st Special Service Force to plan and carry out an attack on Norway in order to tie up the German forces. This commando force of Canadian soldiers and American GIs is headed by Lt. Col. Robert T. Frederick (William Holden), a paper-pusher given his first field command. Antagonism immediately erupts between Canadian Maj. Alan Crown (Cliff Robertson) and American Maj. Cliff Bricker (Vince Edwards). But Frederick utilizes their mutual dislike as a basis for a rivalry that turns this rag-tag group of misfits into a disciplined fighting force. But now that Frederick's men are ready to fight, Frederick receives word that the Norway mission has been canceled. After appealing to Washington for another assignment for the commandos, the brigade is sent on a patrol near the German lines in southern Italy. The brigade captures an enemy-held village and is then given the seemingly impossible task of taking Mt. La Difensa. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
Alfred Sweeney - Art Director, Julian Ludwig - Associate Producer, Terry Morse, Jr. - First Assistant Director, Andrew V. McLaglen - Director, William Cartwright - Editor, Alex North - Composer (Music Score), William H. Clothier - Cinematographer, David L. Wolper - Producer, Morrie Hoffman - Set Designer, Logan R. Frazee - Special Effects, Al Overton - Sound/Sound Designer, Clem Portman - Sound/Sound Designer, Hal Needham - Stunts, William Roberts - Screenwriter, Col. George Walton - Book Author, Robert H. Adleman - Book Author
The film recounts the formation and training of the 1st Special Service Force, a unique joint American-Canadian commando unit that became known as the "Devil's Brigade". Largely misfits, the Americans and their split Polish and Canadian counterparts overcome initial differences and eventually learn to respect each other and come together as a unit. The film dramatizes the Brigade's first mission in the Italian Campaign with the seemingly impossible task of capturing what to that point had been an impregnable Nazi mountain stronghold, Mt. La Difensa with losses that are far greater than anticipated.
Alex North composed the soundtrack of the film but at the time of release only a cover version by Leroy Holmes of the soundtrack album was released by United Artists Records. The album was illustrated with the original Sandy Kossin artwork of the film and featured instrumental (with whistling) and a male chorus singing lyrics to North's title theme. The album also contained cover versions of other North themes from the film as well as 1940's popular music that appeared in the film.
In 2007 Film Score Monthly and Intrada released a limited CD edition of North's original soundtrack with Kossin's artwork including alternate versions of the title theme, North's own arrangements of four 1940's jazz popular tunes, two traditional Christmas carols, and the pipe band version of Scotland the Brave featuring in the film.
The pipes and drums featured in the production were the "Salt Lake Scots Pipe Band" who furnished their own instruments and uniforms for the film shoot. The band still exists today and is recognized as Utah's premier bagpipe band.[citation needed]
