Eight Iron Men [USA] [DVD]

Edward Dmytryk directs this rich and fascinating exploration of the boredom, comradeship and raw courage of troops in wartime. As a small squadron awaits orders to move out, they bicker and daydream to pass the time. When one of their own is trapped by enemy fire and can't get back from patrol, the soldiers fight over whether, how, and who should try to rescue him. Sergeant Mooney (Lee Marvin, the Dirty Dozen, the Professionals) receives orders to move his troops, but his men harangue him about leaving one man behind, and tough-as-nails Mooney has to decide between disregarding direct orders and preserving his tiny, battle-scarred unit. Strong performances all around make this both a rich character study and an engaging, suspenseful drama. Richard Kiley (The Mob, Looking for Mr. Goodbar), Arthur Franz (The Sniper, the Caine Mutiny) and Bonar Colleano (Pickup Alley, Fire Down Below) also star.