Fred Schaefer
Like everyone else who has posted a review, I remember seeing this movie when I was a kid; for me that would have been back in the early 70's on a Sunday afternoon movie marathon. In America, it was shown under the title COMMANDO, and I think in many ways it is superior to the Schwarzenegger film of the same title from the 80's.Movies like these had great appeal for us kids back in the day, where the story centered on a group of tough, but flawed professionals, doing a dirty job that only they can do. In COMMANDO it is the Foreign Legion and the dirty job is fighting in the Algerian War. There's nothing romantic here, men and women die for very bad reasons and the only thing the survivors can walk away with is their self respect and the admiration of their comrades.The thing that stands out in my memory most from COMMANDO is the ironic ending, where the captured rebel leader is released so he can now take part in peace negotiations after so many brave men have given their lives to bring him to justice. Only Stewart Granger's Captain remains to walk away with the orphan boy at his side; an unforgettable scene.There was also the distinctive musical score that perfectly set the mood; a version of it by Ken Thorne was a big hit in the UK and can be found on Youtube. I bet outside of die hard movie buffs, no one remembers Stewart Granger, but he was a real movie star who made some decent films back in the 50's; check out KING SOLOMON'S MINES or NORTH TO ALASKA.And finally, because of a B movie like COMMANDO, I learned something about Algeria at a young age, things not taught in a World History or Geography class.
arbibriggs
I have similar memories to other reviewers having seen the film in 1963/64 at the age of 13. What made the biggest impression on me were the opening credits which I recall being genuine footage of street fighting in Algiers which would freeze to display a credit and then move on. All to the sound of Concerto Disperato played, presumably, by Nino Rosso. Concerto Disperato is available on Nini Rosso Greatest Hits CDs. But my advice is to ignore as the Ken Thorne version is far superior a) in terms of trumpet playing and b) arrangement. Especially as Nini Rosso sings (badly) over the middle section. But getting a genuine CD recording has alluded me for years. I have a ripped mp3 (off a 45). The film overall made a big impression but I often wonder whether, if I saw it now, I would be bitterly disappointed. After all, I was only 13 when I saw it.
playawaynz
I too saw this movie on one of the days I went AWOL at school as a 15 year old in Sunderland, U.K.1t has always stuck in my mind as a film that moved me because of its human interaction and stirring heroic scenes of a struggle against the odds.I remember distinctly having unexpected feelings of frustration and a little anger at the futility and injustice of the soldier's plight and came out of the theatre puzzled as to how this seemingly average ,unheralded B movie, could affect me so much ! I have since had similar emotions with only a few films during my movie lifetime with "one flew over the cuckoo's nest" and "Midnight Express " springing immediately to mind. I would like to see this film again just to confirm that it really had the qualities that I remember. Maybe it was just a shallow story ,poorly acted and which fooled an impressionable lad. In any case I am sure that it was more memorable than anything that I would have been bombarded with at school that day.
Tony Greig
Like your other reviewers, I remember this film from my childhood. The Plot was stirring, the plight the soldiers found themselves in was gripping yet desperate, and the music both haunting and memorable.I can only recall the scenes mentioned by other reviewers, such as the tortured soldier, who's life was ended by a bullet from Granger, with the approval of his comrades in arms, yet none of them would have shown the strength of personality to perform the act.I only wish that this film was available on DVD or other media to relive again. If anyone knows whether it is due for release, I am sure I will be one of many who would be glad to know.
AD
