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The Victors

"A Shattering Entertainment Experience!"

Intercutting dramatic vignettes with newsreel footage, the story follows the characters from an infantry squad as they make their way from Sicily to Germany during the end of World War II.

Top Cast

  • Eli Wallach

    Eli Wallach

    Sgt. Craig

  • George Hamilton

    George Hamilton

    Trower

  • George Peppard

    George Peppard

    Cpl. Chase

  • Jeanne Moreau

    Jeanne Moreau

    French Woman

  • Romy Schneider

    Romy Schneider

    Regine

  • Maurice Ronet

    Maurice Ronet

    French Lieutenant

  • Peter Fonda

    Peter Fonda

    Weaver

  • Albert Finney

    Albert Finney

    Russian Soldier

  • Vince Edwards

    Vince Edwards

    Baker

Overview

Intercutting dramatic vignettes with newsreel footage, the story follows the characters from an infantry squad as they make their way from Sicily to Germany during the end of World War II.

Rating

6.4 / 10
27 Reviews
1 Popular

1 Reviews

  • CinemaSerf
    CinemaSerf
    6 Apr 16, 2022

    Interspersed with some newsreel footage from WWII, this story depicts the story of an American unit fighting their way through Europe. "Capt. Chase" (George Peppard), his friend "Cpl. Trower" (George Hamilton) and savvy sergeant "Joe" (Eli Wallach) face just about every hazard as we start shortly after they land in Sicily and end up (well some of them do) in Berlin. The combat elements of the film are unremarkable, to be honest, but what is striking here is the roles of the women. Starting with a super effort from the emotionally ravaged French lady whose home they must commandeer (Jean Moreau), then the clever and manipulative club owner "Magda" (Melina Mercouri) and finally "Helga" (Elke Summer) and "Trudi" (Senta Berger) who must make the most from the occupying powers in Berlin. It is their perspectives that make this a bit different and that contribute most to the humanity of this all but 3 hour marathon. At times it has an episodic feel to it, which I found disjointed the narrative a bit, and unfortunately the main casting - especially the really weak Hamilton, but with the exception of the on-form Wallach, just let the side down. There is far too much ponderous dialogue and Carl Foreman struggles at times to keep this frequently rambling drama engaging. It has a very strong supporting cast, and there are some nice touches now and again from the likes of Mervyn Johns and Romy Schneider to help it along, and give us a breather from the intensity of the wartime imagery. It is not a bad film this, but there is just too much chaff amongst the wheat.

Recommendations

Cross of Iron

It is 1943, and the German army—ravaged and demoralised—is hastily retreating from the Russian front. In the midst of the madness, conflict brews between the aristocratic yet ultimately pusillanimous Captain Stransky and the courageous Corporal Steiner. Stransky is the only man who believes that the Third Reich is still vastly superior to the Russian army. However, within his pompous persona lies a quivering coward who longs for the Iron Cross so that he can return to Berlin a hero. Steiner, on the other hand is cynical, defiantly non-conformist and more concerned with the safety of his own men rather than the horde of military decorations offered to him by his superiors.

Cross of Iron

7.1 1977