Cast
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Telly Savalas
as Maj. Wright
Ernest Borgnine
as Gen. Sam Worden
Hunt Block
as Joe Stern
Matthew Burton
as Gen. Kurt Richter
Jeff Conaway
as Sgt. Holt
Alex Cord
as Dravko Demchuk
Erik Estrada
as Carmine D'Agostino
Ernie Hudson
as Joe Hamilton
James Carroll Jordan
as Lonnie Wilson
Ray Mancini
as Tom Ricketts (as Ray Mancini)
John Matuszak
as Fred Collins
Natalija Nogulich
as Yelena Petrovic
Heather Thomas
as Lt. Carol Campbell
Anthony Valentine
as Colonel Clarke
Richard Yniguez
as Roberto Echevarria
Crew
Director
- Lee H. Katzin
Writer
- Mark Rodgers
Producer
- Mel Swope
Reviews
dennyjt
Third TV version of the story has Savalas back as the leader of 12 convicts on a desperate mission to attack a train carrying a dozen Nazis selected to be the next generation of mad Reich leaders. After the usual training sequences and the traditional visit of the whores, Savalas learns there is a traitor in the team. It culminates in an explosive scene involving the train as a few of the twelve survive. Shot in Croatia, this has a very professional look and is hugely entertaining if violent and familiar fare. Unlikely addition of hot babe Thomas is a welcome diversion. The cast contains a number of tough guy, grizzled performers who easily fit into the rigorous action.
Jul 20, 2022
Thematic Analysis
This high-octane Adventure/War/Action film balances spectacular sequences with character-driven moments. Unlike many films in the genre, The Dirty Dozen: The Fatal Mission distinguishes itself through a unique visual style and creative action choreography.
Director Lee H. Katzin brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1988, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Dirty Dozen: The Fatal Mission took approximately 32 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 94 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 145 minutes long.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 7 weeks before filming began.
- The screenplay went through 12 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The musical score contains over 75 unique compositions.
Historical Context
- In 1988, when this film was released:
- Economic policies were shifting toward deregulation in many Western countries.
- Personal computers were beginning to transform homes and workplaces.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Dirty Dozen: The Fatal Mission shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Titan A.E., which focuses more on action than character development, The Dirty Dozen: The Fatal Mission subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like xXx and Rambo explore similar territory, The Dirty Dozen: The Fatal Mission stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: November 10, 1988
- Runtime: 1h 34m
Where to Watch
