The Dirty Dozen (1967)

Based on E.M. Nathanson’s novel with the same name that was inspired by the real-life members of the “Filthy Thirteen”, The Dirty Dozen is a one of the most entertaining, action-packed war movies set 1944 shortly prior to WW II’s D-Day.

Major John Reisman (played by Lee Marvin) is an insubordinate Army officer who is facing a court-martial, when he's given one last chance for a reprieve: heading an unusual, top-secret mission behind German lines, called Project Amnesty. As no one would ever volunteer to participate in this suicide mission, he is ordered to select 12 military prisoners serving lengthy sentences or awaiting execution that have nothing to lose, but everything to gain; if they succeed in the mission and come home alive, they will be pardoned.

After a brutal training, the group of rebellious and misfit soldiers is taken behind enemy lines dressed as Nazi soldiers with the goal to overtake a château in France that hasn’t any military value, but is used by German officers to enjoy themselves, and kill everyone inside.

Even though probably a little bit tame by today's standards, The Dirty Dozen, by the way written by Lukas Heller and Nunnally Johnson and directed by Robert Aldrich, was a landmark in 1967 and a huge commercial success. Sometimes criticized for its glorification of violence and macho behavior, the movie is one of the most entertaining and exciting WW II dramas on screen and one of the must-see classics.