My Blog Stop!

If you are making a list of greatest war movies, The Dirty Dozen (1967) has to go on that list. All-star cast. All-star action! “The Dirty Dozen” is a war movie classic.

This is my movie review.

Traditionally, in the United States, around Independence Day (4th of July), Memorial Day (celebrated the last Monday in May), Veterans Day (November 11), etc. television stations air military movies that are supposed to foster American patriotism. At one time FoxNews.com published a list of “The 30 Greatest War Movies of All Time”. Some of the movies I picked were on their list. Some were not. But they're still on my list for great war movies.

The Dirty Dozen (1967) is one of them.

This is a great movie about 12 convicts being given a second chance to start life over if they serve their country on a military mission and of course if they survive. I still enjoy it every time I watch it. These two lines are the ones I still remember.

*** (Background for the scene: There was an obvious commotion coming from the room; the definite sound of men fighting, or rather … settling their differences in the only way men know how.)

- Sergeant Clyde Bowren: [as Major Reisman exits the room ] : Whats going on, sir?

- Major John Reisman: Oh, the gentleman from the South had a question about the dining arrangements. He and his comrades are discussing place settings now.

***
Cracked up (laughed) when the major said that. Some say the movie Inglorious Basterds was inspired by this movie. Well it may have been inspired but it was nowhere near as good as this classic starring some of my favorite actors: Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, Telly Savalas and Jim Brown, to name a few. They tried to do sequels but they are not as good as the original.

No argument that it's a classic. But some say the movie “Inglourious Basterds ” was inspired by this movie. Inspired? Perhaps. Better than? Not even close!! Have no doubt Quentin Tarantino, the Director of "Inglorious Basterds", would say "Amen!" to my comparison. This classic film starred some of my favorite actors: Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, Telly Savalas and Jim Brown, to name a few.

* * * * * * * * IN MEMORY OF * * * * * * * *

Remembering the stars who are no longer with us.

* Lee Marvin (February 19, 1924 – August 29, 1987)

* Charles Bronson (November 3, 1921 – August 30, 2003)

* Aristotelis “Telly” Savalas (January 21, 1922 – January 22, 1994)

* Jim Brown (February 17, 1936 – May 18, 2023)

***

CAREER DEFINING HIGHLIGHTS:

⭐ Lee Marvin — Best Actor Oscar for Cat Ballou (1965)

Marvin won the Academy Award for Best Actor for playing two roles — the drunken gunfighter Kid Shelleen and his villainous twin — in the comedy western Cat Ballou. It cemented him as a major Hollywood star and showcased his surprising comedic range.

⭐ Charles Bronson — Breakout Global Stardom in Death Wish (1974)

Bronson became an international icon as vigilante Paul Kersey in Death Wish, a role that defined the revenge thriller genre and turned him into one of the world’s highest paid action stars of the 1970s.

⭐ Telly Savalas — Kojak (1973–1978): “Who loves ya, baby?”

Savalas’ portrayal of Lt. Theo Kojak in the hit TV series Kojak made him a pop culture legend.
The role earned him an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe, and one of the most recognizable personas in television history.

⭐ Jim Brown — NFL Legend Turned Hollywood Star: The Dirty Dozen (1967)

Already one of the greatest NFL players of all time, Brown’s standout film role was in The Dirty Dozen, where he delivered a charismatic, physically commanding performance that launched his long acting career.

***

ENTERTAINMENT TRIVIA:

Actor	Underrated Performance	War‑Film Persona	Signature War Film
Lee Marvin	Prime Cut	Gritty, authentic veteran	The Big Red One
Charles Bronson	Hard Times	Stoic, silent professional	The Great Escape
Telly Savalas	The Scalphunters	Charismatic wild card	The Dirty Dozen
Jim Brown	Slaughter	Athletic, commanding presence	The Dirty Dozen