Battle of the Commandos (also known as Legion of the Damned) is a European Macaroni-War film directed in 1969 by Umberto Lenzi. The movie was a co-production between Italy (where it was released as La legione dei dannati), West Germany (where is known with the title Die zum Teufel gehen) and Spain (where it is known as La brigada de los condenados).
Contents
Plot
In June 1944, the Allies initiate the liberation of Europe by landing in Normandy. The Germans have fortified the French coasts to resist the landing, but the exact location and day are unknown to them. Colonel Henderson, an English officer, is given a mission to form a commando unit and reach the French coasts near Le Havre, east of Normandy, to mislead the Germans about the landing location.
Colonel Ackerman, who had previously defeated Henderson's unit in North Africa, commands the German troops in that area. Upon reaching the beach, the commandos detonate underwater mines, neutralize bunkers, and face additional German forces, forcing them to retreat inland. Despite losing several members during pursuits, they successfully destroyed a massive rail-mounted cannon.
Cast
Jack Palance: Col. Charley MacPherson
Curd Jürgens: Maj. Gen. von Reilow
Thomas Hunter: Capt. Kevin Burke
Robert Hundar: Pvt. Raymond Stone
Wolfgang Preiss: Col. Ackerman
Helmuth Schneider: Pvt. Sam Schrier
Guido Lollobrigida: Pvt. Tom Carlyle
Aldo Sambrell: Sgt. Karim Habinda
Diana Lorys: Janine
Franco Fantasia: Schiwers, the French Maquis leader
Gérard Herter: Lt. Hapke
Mirko Ellis: Capt. Adler
Bruno Corazzari: Pvt. Frank Madigan
Release
Battle of the Commandos was released in Spain on August 12, 1969 as La brigada de los condenados. It was released in West Germany on April 17, 1970 as Die zum Teufel gehen.