I saw this film in 1962 when I was 14 years old here in the UK, it was shown as a B film, but I enjoyed it but more so I really enjoyed the film soundtrack, suddenly this film became very cool with my contemporaries and the theme tune was re recorded by some UK band and became a hit for several weeks, but the original theme was called Concerto Disperato and was recorded by a brilliant trumpeter called Nino ROSSO, this also became available in The UK from Duram records, since then with the advent of CD I have really struggled to locate this sound track, meanwhile I often wish I could see the film again. The plot as I recall involved The Foreign Legion being tasked to rescue an Algerian and return him in one piece, everything possible happens to the soldiers and a lot is revealed about the main star Stewart GRAINGERs character.
9 Reviews
Once seen, never forgotten
tony-greig20 July 2007
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.
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.
A rather touching spoiler...
Tarasicodissa13 April 2004
Warning: Spoilers
For the most part this is a standard, but good, action movie. But there is one moment where it truly shines as something better.
Captain Le Blanc has a little problem that he has been hiding from his men. The bottle.
At one point one of his men is captured by the rebels and being tortured. He is screaming in agony. The captain, shoots him to end his suffering because there is no way they can rescue him. Trembling, without thinking, he reaches for his hidden bottle and uncaps it. He then remembers were he is. He tries to stash the bottle and turns to look at his men. It's no use. They all saw. But they aren't surprised or mocking. They always knew about his little problem. But it never diminished the love and respect they have for him. There is nothing in their faces but compassion. They know that the value of this man is so much more than his deepest, darkest secret.
Go on, sir, they say. But their respect and compassion give him the strength to put the bottle down.
Captain Le Blanc has a little problem that he has been hiding from his men. The bottle.
At one point one of his men is captured by the rebels and being tortured. He is screaming in agony. The captain, shoots him to end his suffering because there is no way they can rescue him. Trembling, without thinking, he reaches for his hidden bottle and uncaps it. He then remembers were he is. He tries to stash the bottle and turns to look at his men. It's no use. They all saw. But they aren't surprised or mocking. They always knew about his little problem. But it never diminished the love and respect they have for him. There is nothing in their faces but compassion. They know that the value of this man is so much more than his deepest, darkest secret.
Go on, sir, they say. But their respect and compassion give him the strength to put the bottle down.
Was this the basis for the "Green Berets"?
flashistic115 August 2004
Although I was only Four when I saw this I have never forgotten the premise or the last scenes and I hope to find it and see it again. A wonderful action adventure with believable characters, unlike The Green Berets, which I am sure ripped off the story. Actually, it seems a great irony that the story of Marcia o crepa portrays France's end days of Algerian Colonization realistically, while the Green Berets show America's failure in Viet Nam with such heroically, naive shlock.
Anyone who can tell me where I can find a VHS or DVD please write me.
Thankyou, Flash
Anyone who can tell me where I can find a VHS or DVD please write me.
Thankyou, Flash
Enjoyable Spanish/German/Italian co-production shot in Spain with international cast and action enough
ma-cortes7 June 2020
The film is full of feats , suspense , battles , excitement and thrills . A French Foreign Legion commander , Captain Le Blanc (Stewart Granger) is assigned to assemble an unit and capture an Algerian rebel leader (Carlos Casaravilla) . The captain leads a group of expert soldiers (Leo Anchoriz , Maurizio Arena , Peter Carsten , Hans Von Borsody , Riccardo Garrone..) on a risked as well as hard assignment and along the way meet a beautiful prostitute (Dorian Gray) . The relentless assignment is submitted to strong sufferings , risked assaults and hazardous feats . They then execute the mission , but are unable to complete it , being besieged by a rebel patrol at an old church . Thirteen Hours to Live And Nothing To Do But Love .With DANGER or a DAME they go where the action is HOTTEST!
This moving film packs frantic thrills , perilous adventures , relentless feats , buck-loads of explosive action and violence . There is also brief character studio about some peculiar roles , most of whom are no longer in top form, as one is having nightmares of past indiscretions , another is an abuser and rapist , another is a drunken , and another is on the edge of a breakdown . The frantic action is uniformly well-made , especially deserving of mention the rip-roaring final scenes in which the motley , wayward squadron is really caughtly , including some spectacular shootouts and bombing . The flick takes parts here and there of other warfare movies as ¨Green Berets¨ by John Wayne regarding the relationship between an officer and a kid , ¨Objective Burma¨ by Raoul Walsh about a platoon stranded behind enemy lines and ¨Lost Command¨ by Mark Robson concerning about Algeria war along with the classic ¨Battle of Algeria¨ by Gino Pontecorvo deemed to be the best one . Furthermore , it follows the traditional style of the American wartime superproductions as Guns of Navarone by J. Lee Thompson , Dirty Dozen by Robert Aldrich , When the eagles dare by Brian G Hutton , Tobruk by Arthur Hiller , dealing with special ops in suicide missions . The first half of the film allows the colorful cast of character actors to have their fun as they get their tails whipped into shape and developing a particular relationship with their leader . The final part in which the squadron is trapped , unless they can getaway before their water runs out , results to be all action , as the team harassed and relentessly chased by rebellious soldiers and then run for their lives . Apart from the values of team spirit , the film has a peculiar protagonists , far fom the uni-dimensional characters , as the captain results to be a tough hero who will stop at nothing to exact the rigis orders , while other roles are disturbing soldiers , with doubts , nightmares and cowardice . Stewart Granger assumes the character of commando leader gathering his old unit in this pretty good wartime movie professionally directed . However , Stewart was in his fall , and he was already a tarnished star , performing mostly in Europe B movies as Mission in Hong Kong , Tanger 67 , The crooked road , Secret invasion , The swordsman of Siena , with exception for Winnetou series , in which he outstanded playing Old Surehand . Being a Spanish/German/Italian co-production here shows up Spanish actors : Carlos Casaravilla , Leo Anchoriz , Alfredo Mayo ; German : Peter Carsten , Hans von Borsody , Schönherr and Italian : Fausto Tozzi , Maurizio Arena , Ivo Garrani , Riccardo Garrone .
It packs a moving and thrilling musical score by prolific Angelo Francesco Lavagnino . Being shot on locations in La Pedriza , Madrid , Pulpí , Cuevas del Almanzora, Almería, Andalucía, Mojácar, Almería, Andalucía, Spain . As well as atmospheric cinematography in black and white by Cecilio Paniagua , including a charming and catching leitmotif that subsequently adapted by composer Ken Thorne achieved a big hit in the charts . The motion picture was well directed by Frank Wisbar . He was a fine craftsman , directing even in the US . He made all kinds of genres, giving acceptable films as Darkness fell on Gotenhagen , Fahrmann Mary , The praier , Wet asphalt , Strangler of the swamp , Devil bat's daughter, Lighthouse , Barbara , Secrets of a sorority girl and his greatest success : Stalingrade . Rating : 7/10 . Decent and notable warlike movie . The yarn will appeal to Stewart Granger fans .
This moving film packs frantic thrills , perilous adventures , relentless feats , buck-loads of explosive action and violence . There is also brief character studio about some peculiar roles , most of whom are no longer in top form, as one is having nightmares of past indiscretions , another is an abuser and rapist , another is a drunken , and another is on the edge of a breakdown . The frantic action is uniformly well-made , especially deserving of mention the rip-roaring final scenes in which the motley , wayward squadron is really caughtly , including some spectacular shootouts and bombing . The flick takes parts here and there of other warfare movies as ¨Green Berets¨ by John Wayne regarding the relationship between an officer and a kid , ¨Objective Burma¨ by Raoul Walsh about a platoon stranded behind enemy lines and ¨Lost Command¨ by Mark Robson concerning about Algeria war along with the classic ¨Battle of Algeria¨ by Gino Pontecorvo deemed to be the best one . Furthermore , it follows the traditional style of the American wartime superproductions as Guns of Navarone by J. Lee Thompson , Dirty Dozen by Robert Aldrich , When the eagles dare by Brian G Hutton , Tobruk by Arthur Hiller , dealing with special ops in suicide missions . The first half of the film allows the colorful cast of character actors to have their fun as they get their tails whipped into shape and developing a particular relationship with their leader . The final part in which the squadron is trapped , unless they can getaway before their water runs out , results to be all action , as the team harassed and relentessly chased by rebellious soldiers and then run for their lives . Apart from the values of team spirit , the film has a peculiar protagonists , far fom the uni-dimensional characters , as the captain results to be a tough hero who will stop at nothing to exact the rigis orders , while other roles are disturbing soldiers , with doubts , nightmares and cowardice . Stewart Granger assumes the character of commando leader gathering his old unit in this pretty good wartime movie professionally directed . However , Stewart was in his fall , and he was already a tarnished star , performing mostly in Europe B movies as Mission in Hong Kong , Tanger 67 , The crooked road , Secret invasion , The swordsman of Siena , with exception for Winnetou series , in which he outstanded playing Old Surehand . Being a Spanish/German/Italian co-production here shows up Spanish actors : Carlos Casaravilla , Leo Anchoriz , Alfredo Mayo ; German : Peter Carsten , Hans von Borsody , Schönherr and Italian : Fausto Tozzi , Maurizio Arena , Ivo Garrani , Riccardo Garrone .
It packs a moving and thrilling musical score by prolific Angelo Francesco Lavagnino . Being shot on locations in La Pedriza , Madrid , Pulpí , Cuevas del Almanzora, Almería, Andalucía, Mojácar, Almería, Andalucía, Spain . As well as atmospheric cinematography in black and white by Cecilio Paniagua , including a charming and catching leitmotif that subsequently adapted by composer Ken Thorne achieved a big hit in the charts . The motion picture was well directed by Frank Wisbar . He was a fine craftsman , directing even in the US . He made all kinds of genres, giving acceptable films as Darkness fell on Gotenhagen , Fahrmann Mary , The praier , Wet asphalt , Strangler of the swamp , Devil bat's daughter, Lighthouse , Barbara , Secrets of a sorority girl and his greatest success : Stalingrade . Rating : 7/10 . Decent and notable warlike movie . The yarn will appeal to Stewart Granger fans .
legion's last patrol
playawaynz28 January 2009
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.
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.
How can I get access to this film?
ricketts_arthur24 December 2008
I watched this film in my early teens and I loved every scene of the film including the signature tune. If I know where I can get a copy of the film I will simply buy it.
I still remember the captain shooting dead one of his soldiers in sympathy to his request "Captain Save Me". Also just consider when after the capture of the rebel leader the group's hope of returning unscathed was shattered when the aircraft sent to take them back was shot down.
The final blow for the captain was on his return with the rebel leader the political circumstances had all changed in favour of the rebel leader and he was no linger a "wanted" rebel but a hero needed to play an key role in the new political system. Most of us the audience felt for the captain considering the fact that among the troop that went after the rebel leader he was the only survivor. He returned with the captured rebel leader and the young boy found in the ruined building.
The scene prior to the soldiers hunt where a dancing woman was hit in the stomach with catapult is still fresh in my mind.
I still remember the captain shooting dead one of his soldiers in sympathy to his request "Captain Save Me". Also just consider when after the capture of the rebel leader the group's hope of returning unscathed was shattered when the aircraft sent to take them back was shot down.
The final blow for the captain was on his return with the rebel leader the political circumstances had all changed in favour of the rebel leader and he was no linger a "wanted" rebel but a hero needed to play an key role in the new political system. Most of us the audience felt for the captain considering the fact that among the troop that went after the rebel leader he was the only survivor. He returned with the captured rebel leader and the young boy found in the ruined building.
The scene prior to the soldiers hunt where a dancing woman was hit in the stomach with catapult is still fresh in my mind.
A favorite from childhood.
fredschaefer-406-62320426 October 2012
Warning: Spoilers
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.
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.
Opening Credits
arbibriggs9 October 2011
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.
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