Battle of the Commandos
Battle of the Commandos is a European Macaroni-War film directed in 1969 by Umberto Lenzi. The movie was a co-production between Italy, West Germany and Spain.
Plot
In June 1944, the Allies of [World War II|Allies] initiate the End of [World War II in Europe|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