Horrible, fascist and poorly acted

What a freaking movie. So many twists and turns. Absolutely intense from start to finish.

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Like everyone else who has posted a review, I remember seeing this movie when I was a kid; for me that would have been back in the early 70's on a Sunday afternoon movie marathon. In America, it was shown under the title COMMANDO, and I think in many ways it is superior to the Schwarzenegger film of the same title from the 80's.Movies like these had great appeal for us kids back in the day, where the story centered on a group of tough, but flawed professionals, doing a dirty job that only they can do. In COMMANDO it is the Foreign Legion and the dirty job is fighting in the Algerian War. There's nothing romantic here, men and women die for very bad reasons and the only thing the survivors can walk away with is their self respect and the admiration of their comrades.The thing that stands out in my memory most from COMMANDO is the ironic ending, where the captured rebel leader is released so he can now take part in peace negotiations after so many brave men have given their lives to bring him to justice. Only Stewart Granger's Captain remains to walk away with the orphan boy at his side; an unforgettable scene.There was also the distinctive musical score that perfectly set the mood; a version of it by Ken Thorne was a big hit in the UK and can be found on Youtube. I bet outside of die hard movie buffs, no one remembers Stewart Granger, but he was a real movie star who made some decent films back in the 50's; check out KING SOLOMON'S MINES or NORTH TO ALASKA.And finally, because of a B movie like COMMANDO, I learned something about Algeria at a young age, things not taught in a World History or Geography class.

I have similar memories to other reviewers having seen the film in 1963/64 at the age of 13. What made the biggest impression on me were the opening credits which I recall being genuine footage of street fighting in Algiers which would freeze to display a credit and then move on. All to the sound of Concerto Disperato played, presumably, by Nino Rosso. Concerto Disperato is available on Nini Rosso Greatest Hits CDs. But my advice is to ignore as the Ken Thorne version is far superior a) in terms of trumpet playing and b) arrangement. Especially as Nini Rosso sings (badly) over the middle section. But getting a genuine CD recording has alluded me for years. I have a ripped mp3 (off a 45). The film overall made a big impression but I often wonder whether, if I saw it now, I would be bitterly disappointed. After all, I was only 13 when I saw it.

Although I was only Four when I saw this I have never forgotten the premise or the last scenes and I hope to find it and see it again. A wonderful action adventure with believable characters, unlike The Green Berets, which I am sure ripped off the story. Actually, it seems a great irony that the story of Marcia o crepa portrays France's end days of Algerian Colonization realistically, while the Green Berets show America's failure in Viet Nam with such heroically, naive shlock.Anyone who can tell me where I can find a VHS or DVD please write me.Thankyou, Flash

For the most part this is a standard, but good, action movie. But there is one moment where it truly shines as something better.Captain Le Blanc has a little problem that he has been hiding from his men. The bottle.At one point one of his men is captured by the rebels and being tortured. He is screaming in agony. The captain, shoots him to end his suffering because there is no way they can rescue him. Trembling, without thinking, he reaches for his hidden bottle and uncaps it. He then remembers were he is. He tries to stash the bottle and turns to look at his men. It's no use. They all saw. But they aren't surprised or mocking. They always knew about his little problem. But it never diminished the love and respect they have for him. There is nothing in their faces but compassion. They know that the value of this man is so much more than his deepest, darkest secret. Go on, sir, they say. But their respect and compassion give him the strength to put the bottle down.