This story takes place near the end of WW2. Jack Palance stars as Joe Costa, the leader of a National Guard Infantry that is sent in to various places to set up observation posts.
He learns that Captain Cooney (Eddie Albert) is in charge of the area they are assigned. When Costa and his men get pinned down by Germans and some of them get killed, Costa asks Cooney for backup, and gets none. Costa swears revenge for this.
Cooney is a coward who will do anything to avoid a confrontation with the enemy. He is, however fully supported by Lt. Col. Clyde Bartlett (Lee Marvin).
Things spiral more and more out of control as more men die because of the cowardly Cooney, and the final showdown between Costa and Cooney proves to be brutal and sad in a way.
The ending is downbeat and very unexpected and I swear, everyone in the cast gives the performance of a lifetime, including William Smithers in his film debut, and his role of Lt. Harry Woodruff is key to the film.
The rest of the outstanding cast includes Robert Strauss, Richard Jaeckel, Buddy Ebson, Peter Van Eyck, Steven Geray, and Strother Martin.
Catch this film if you can. You won't be disappointed.
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