Uriah43 The American army desperately needs to take a dam in Nazi Germany during World War II. Because it is the closest military unit the assignment is given to Company B of the 3rd Regiment to secure it long enough for the rest of the army to cross to the other side. This particular company, however, is an undisciplined black unit that is completely ill-prepared for this mission. To make matters even more complicated, the decision is made to place a white, southern officer by the name of "Captain Beau Carter" (Stephen Boyd) in command. Anyway, what follows is a basic made-for-television film which contains some decent action mixed with typical racial overtones seen quite often during this time. Overall the film is okay but only because of the acting of Stephen Boyd and the presence of several notable black actors to include Roosevelt Grier (as "Big Jim"), Billy Dee Williams ("Private Lewis"), Richard Pryor ("Jonathan Crunk"), Robert Hooks ("Lieutenant Edward Wallace") and Moses Gunn ("Private Doc Hayes").

whpratt1 This is a film you can view and enjoy because it is a story about a Red Neck Capt. Beau Carter, (Stephen Boyd) who is ordered by a General to lead an all Black Brigade to protect a Dam that will be blown up by the Nazi forces. Capt. Beau was not so upset with having an all Black Brigade, but he learned that this Brigade was given for three, (3) years menial duties and had no experience in combat. One man was deaf and there was a soldier Pvt. Jonathan Crunk, (Richard Pryor) who did not want to die and he would run away from the enemy. This film tells a great story about the past and I am so glad we have progressed beyond racial barriers. This is a Gem of a film and very worth your time viewing this story. Enjoy.

john This movie is a waste of film stock. Do you believe that the map of a plan of a military mission would be placed on an easel on a patio in broad daylight for anyone with binoculars or a camera with a zoom lens to see? It happened in this film. Do you believe that a DEAF person would actually be enlisted in the active duty army in Europe during WWII to serve in a "Negro" unit...cooking, supply services, burial detail, etc.? It happened in this film. Do you believe that a black (and supposedly intelligent) officer would select this same DEAF K.P. to be part of an active combat mission to protect a dam from being destroyed by the Germans before the allies arrived? It happened in this film. Would you be surprised that the DEAF soldier didn't realize that a German plane was approaching from behind and would strafe and kill him? It happened in this film. Would you be surprised that a group of American soldiers hold-up in a barn at a farmhouse that the Germans happened upon would SHOUT out their emotions at the sight of the German soldiers who were just 50' away? They did it in this film, and left any possible entrances to the barn the Germans might check totally unprotected. Would you believe that, over the airwaves and in clear English, the Captain mentioned the General's rank, if not his name, as the person he was speaking with and that the general, in plain English over open airwaves, said that the dam had to be protected the next day? Maybe they should have just sent in an emissary to tell which direction the American attack would be coming from just to make it a little easier on the Germans. This so-called movie should be placed on a list of the top 50 worst films. If it were, I'm sure it would do well. Watch it at your own risk.

drtturner I thought I knew it all when it came to Blaxploitation films and for that matter tv shows such as White Shadow and What's Happening. I came across this film in a chain video store and had to make a command decision. It was necessary to determine whether to buy and risk losing the few dollars or more arguably having an eyesore of an item that second hand stores would not even give money for. That would mean throwing it away if it were truly dreadful. I decided to pass at first b-lining home to read online reviews to see the scoop. Fortunately, the critics were kind enough, prompting me to return to the store with renewed vigor and confidence that I was not buying a total turkey. I played the first half of the tape on several occasions only halfway paying attention to ensure that it worked at least functionally. Well finally I had an audience and played it from beginning to end, and was not just impressed but very impressed. I grade on a curve considering the time period and budget put into the project. I really liked the character development in which the subtle differences of personalities remains consistent. The best friend twosome of Pryor and Grier is formable and yet handled in a subtle manner. The other allstars of Moses Gunn, Glynn Thurman, and Billy Dee Williams make this a film that a film expert of black cinema should not miss.