The Dirty Dozen Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of guys who are REALLY good at breaking the rules, decide to break ALL the rules by going to France and causing a massive, gasoline-fueled ruckus at a Nazi party.

🍿 The Dirty Dozen: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Major Reisman’s Unconventional Assignment

In 1944, Major John Reisman, a U.S. Army officer known for his disregard for authority, is tasked with a highly dangerous mission. His superiors want him to train a group of convicted criminals for a suicide mission to disrupt German command before the Allied invasion. Reisman, initially reluctant, accepts the assignment, adding the stipulation that the convicts will be pardoned if they survive.

Recruiting the ‘Dirty Dozen’

Reisman, with the help of Sergeant Bowren, selects twelve military convicts sentenced to death or life imprisonment. These include Joseph Wladislaw, a German-speaking former officer; Robert Jefferson, a black activist; Victor Franko, a gangster; Archer Maggott, a psychopath; and Vernon Pinkley, who’s mentally slow. The men are taken to a remote, heavily guarded camp for training.

Training and Team Building

The ‘Dirty Dozen’ prove to be a difficult group to manage, displaying nonconformist behavior and resentment toward authority. Reisman employs harsh discipline and incentives to motivate them, fostering a sense of teamwork. After overcoming several obstacles, including a war game to prove their capabilities, the men begin to function as a cohesive unit.

The Mission Behind Enemy Lines

The Dozen memorize a detailed chant outlining the attack plan. Dropped into occupied France near the Chateu housing high ranking German officers, they follow through the plan as best they can, but unforeseen circumstances lead to several casualties. The mission’s success comes at a great cost as most of the dozen are killed in action, but the chain of command is significantly impacted.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Major John Reisman (Lee Marvin): A rebellious U.S. Army Major who is assigned to train and lead a group of convicted murderers on a dangerous mission.
• Joseph T. Wladislaw (Charles Bronson): A former officer and member of the Dirty Dozen who provides strong leadership and German language skills.
• Victor R. Franko (John Cassavetes): An insubordinate and rebellious member of the Dirty Dozen who challenges Reisman’s authority.
• Robert T. Jefferson (Jim Brown): A black activist and member of the Dirty Dozen who is convicted of murder for defending himself against racist MPs.
• Archer J. Maggott (Telly Savalas): A psychotic, religious fanatic and member of the Dirty Dozen who poses a danger to the mission.
• General Worden (Ernest Borgnine): The General who assigns Major Reisman to the mission and promises the Dirty Dozen pardons.
• Col. Everett Dasher Breed (Robert Ryan): A by-the-book Colonel who clashes with Major Reisman and disapproves of the Dirty Dozen’s unorthodox methods.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Major Reisman: “I don’t like officers who are afraid to get their hands dirty, that’s one thing.” – Reisman explains his disdain for typical military bureaucracy and his preference for action.
• Major Reisman: “We’re gonna make you the best darn killers in the whole wide world.” – Reisman confidently addresses the ‘Dozen’ about their transformation into a lethal fighting unit.
• Victor Franko: “I’m a honest to God crook. I’m no soldier.” – Franko vocalizes his lack of respect for the military and his criminal background.
• Maggott: “I am an instrument of God’s will!” – Maggott proclaiming his motivation to punish sinners and his disturbed religious fanaticism.
• The Dozen: “One: down to the road block, we’ve just begun. Two: the guards are through.” – The Dozen’s infamous chant, created as a mnemonic device to remember the steps of their mission.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5.4M
• Domestic Gross: $45.3M
• Worldwide Gross: $45.3M

💥 The Dirty Dozen Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely love this movie. The ensemble cast is perfect, and Lee Marvin just embodies the tough-as-nails Major Reisman. I will never forget Telly Savalas and his character Archer Maggott. It’s a classic example of how to make a movie with great characters that has been imitated, but never duplicated.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic war films”
  • “Viewers interested in ensemble casts”
  • “Those who appreciate action-packed stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Depiction of war crimes”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Robert Aldrich’s direction is probably his masterpiece; the acting is far above average. A great adventure, of enduring artistry, occasional brutality and intelligently-developed dialogue. It has logical actions, and spectacular physical performances. This is a strong and well-thought-out adventure film.
• IMDb: “Entertaining war film with no real political axe to grind or patriotic flagwaving getting in the way. Aldrich resists the temptation to openly politicise the effects of war, instead he takes a straight line course of action and lets us be moved & entertained by the convicted GIs doing their duty.
• IMDb: “While not a wonderful film, it is a fun movie that never drags despite the slightly longer than normal running time for this type of movie. The training section and the mission itself combine to form an enjoyable film that is driven by a great cast playing good characters.

Audience Reactions

The training montage is hilarious and perfectly sets up the team dynamic.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s cast and exciting action sequences.

The final act is both thrilling and morally complex, sparking much discussion.: Many viewers are captivated by the movie’s bold and morally ambiguous themes.

Overall Consensus: A gritty, action-packed war film elevated by a stellar cast and a morally complex narrative.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Sound Effects)- 1968

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Lee Marvin initially turned down the role of Major Reisman, but after being offered a percentage of the film’s gross, he accepted. This proved to be a very lucrative decision, as the film was a major box office success.”
• “Several cast members, including Lee Marvin and Telly Savalas, were World War II veterans, bringing a sense of realism to their roles.”
• “The film’s violence was controversial for its time, pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable in mainstream cinema.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Dirty Dozen?

The Dirty Dozen is widely available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check local listings for possible broadcast schedules. Digital purchase options are also available through various online retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Dirty Dozen, you might like these similar films:

• The Guns of Navarone (1961): A classic WWII adventure with a team of specialists undertaking a dangerous mission behind enemy lines.
• Kelly’s Heroes (1970): Another WWII film featuring a group of soldiers, albeit less hardened criminals, going rogue on a daring mission for personal gain.
• Inglourious Basterds (2009): Features a team of Allied soldiers undertaking unconventional and brutal methods to disrupt the Nazi war effort.
• Suicide Squad (2016): A modern take on the ‘Dirty Dozen’ concept, with a group of supervillains recruited for a dangerous mission.

🛒 The Dirty Dozen Related Products

• The Dirty Dozen [Blu-ray]: Experience ‘The Dirty Dozen’ in stunning high definition. A must-have for any war movie enthusiast, offering superior picture and sound quality.
• The Dirty Dozen Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the original movie poster. Perfect for decorating your home theater or office with a touch of classic cinema.
• Dirty Dozen T-Shirt: Showcase your favorite movie with this comfortable and durable t-shirt. Featuring a design inspired by the movie’s characters and themes.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Dirty Dozen features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Bramble Bush” – performed by Frank De Vol

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

How Robert Aldrich’s Ultimatum Shaped the Haircuts in The Dirty Dozen – #shorts #short

Did you know the director had such a strong opinion about the haircuts? It’s a quirky fact, but it shows how much detail went into making The Dirty Dozen!

The Deleted Plotline of Wladislaw’s Mission in THE DIRTY DOZEN Movie – #shorts #short

Ever wonder what could have been? This video dives into a deleted plotline that could have changed everything. Honestly, it’s interesting to see what they cut!

1990: DONALD SUTHERLAND on how his EARS earned him his DIRTY DOZEN breakthrough | BBC Archive

You won’t believe the reason Donald Sutherland got a bigger role in The Dirty Dozen! It’s a pretty funny story, and it’s all about his ears.

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