Archetypal war caper with Lee Marvin knocking a bunch of death row troopers into shape for a suicide mission behind German lines. Robert Aldrich's movie works best in its earlier "training" stages, especially the Dozen's victory over sneery commander Robert Ryan in field manoeuvres. Oscar-nominated John Cassavetes walks away with the acting honours, the action looks a little worn - this was, though, when war movies didn't need angst or politics - but makes up for it in sheer personality. Up there with The Magnificent Seven, and The Great Escape in pub quiz immortality.