The impact of The Dirty Dozen on the decade cannot be overstated – here was a big-budget, Hollywood star-powered blockbuster, about a popular topic, that simply didn’t hold back. Toss on the fact that there was no rating system at the time, it’s very likely Little Timmy didn’t know what he was getting into when he decided to go see that new World War II movie. With a few well placed curse words and a few dozen dead Nazis, director Robert Aldrich ushered a whole new era of screen violence into the American consciousness.

In this episode, Bart and Jenna discuss the legacy of The Dirty Dozen by going straight to the immediate rip-offs that followed in its wake. There’s at least two surprisingly underseen gems in the bunch, as well as one other massive hit, all of which bring up the body count even as some question their own morality. Finally, some war movies even Bart can enjoy!

The following films are discussed:

• The Dirty Dozen (1967)
Directed by Robert Aldrich
Starring Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Charles Bronson

• Dark of the Sun (1968)
Directed by Jack Cardiff
Starring Rod Taylor, Yvette Mimieux, Jim Brown

• The Devil's Brigade (1968)
Directed by Andrew V. McLaglen
Starring William Holden, Cliff Robertson, Vince Edwards

• Play Dirty (1969)
Directed by André De Toth
Starring Michael Caine, Nigel Davenport, Nigel Green

• The Wild Bunch (1969)
Directed by Sam Peckinpah
Starring William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Robert Ryan

• Battle of the Commandos (1969)
La legione dei dannati
Directed by Umberto Lenzi
Starring Jack Palance, Thomas Hunter, Curd Jurgens