The Devil’s Brigade

The Devil’s Brigade

Year: 1968

Runtime: 130 mins

Language: English

Director: Andrew V. McLaglen

WarActionDramaWar and historical adventureMilitary combat and heroic soldiers

At the start of World War II, American Lt. Col. Robert Frederick is assigned to lead the 1st Special Service Force, a mixed unit of elite Canadian commandos and rough‑shod American troops. Maj. Alan Crown commands the Canadians while Maj. Cliff Bricker heads the Americans, creating early friction that gives way to camaraderie as they undertake a near‑impossible mission against the enemy.

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Timeline & Setting – The Devil’s Brigade (1968)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Devil’s Brigade (1968). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Summer 1942 – 1943

Set during World War II, the tale follows the formation of a mixed American-Canadian commando unit in the summer of 1942. The timeline covers recruitment, training, and shifting Allied plans from Norway to Italy. The period emphasizes improvisation, high-stakes missions, and rapid unit development under pressure.

Location

Fort William Henry Harrison, Montana; Britain; Norway; Italy (Monte la Difensa)

The story begins at a derelict fort in Montana where an unlikely group of American troops is gathered. It then moves to Britain, where Mountbatten recruits them for a Norway mission behind enemy lines. The narrative shifts to the Italian front, culminating in the assault on Monte la Difensa as the brigade proves itself in combat.

🏔️ Montana 🇬🇧 Britain 🇳🇴 Norway 🇮🇹 Italy

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:29

Main Characters – The Devil’s Brigade (1968)

Meet the key characters of The Devil’s Brigade (1968), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Lt. Col. Robert T. Frederick (William Holden)

A War Department staff officer with no prior combat command, Frederick is tasked with forming a mixed American-Canadian commando unit. He overcomes initial friction among the misfit troops through determined, hands-on leadership and a relentless drive to prove the unit’s worth.

🎖️ Leader 🧭 Strategist 🛡️ Determined

Adm. Lord Mountbatten (Patric Knowles)

A senior Allied figure who selects Frederick to raise the mixed force for operations in German-occupied Norway, setting the stage for the unit’s first mission and larger strategic role.

🎖️ Mentor 🗺️ Strategist 🤝 Liaison

Lt. Gen. Mark Clark (Michael Rennie)

The Allied commander who initially assigns reconnaissance to Frederick’s unit and later promotes Frederick to full colonel, entrusting them with a bold campaign in Italy.

🎖️ Commander 🧭 Leader 🗡️ Decisive

Maj. Gen. Maxwell Hunter (Carroll O'Connor)

Skeptical deputy commander who orders the 1st Special Service Force to reconnoiter a Wehrmacht garrison. He is convinced of the unit’s potential only after they prove their mettle in action.

🎖️ Skeptic 🗺️ Planner 🧭 Authority

Pvt. Rocky Rockman (Claude Akins)

One of the American recruits among the misfits, Rockman embodies the rough-edged perseverance and eventual loyalty that characterize the brigade as they forge their identity.

🎖️ Rebellious 🪖 Loyal 🧩 Resourceful

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:29

Major Themes – The Devil’s Brigade (1968)

Explore the central themes of The Devil’s Brigade (1968), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🪖 Camaraderie

The film centers on turning a cohort of misfits into a cohesive fighting unit. Initial American-Canadian friction gives way to shared discipline and mutual reliance. The unit earns its nickname, Die Teufelsbrigade, through collective grit and camaraderie in the face of danger.

🧭 Leadership

Frederick’s unorthodox leadership drives the transformation from a staff officer with no combat experience to a decisive commander. He persuades higher command to give the unit a chance and sustains morale through uncertainty. The story highlights the burdens and rewards of steadfast, pragmatic leadership.

⚔️ Daring Warfare

The brigade undertakes high-risk operations that few Allied units would attempt. From capturing a German garrison to scaling a cliff to seize Monte la Difensa, the missions emphasize audacity and technical prowess. The success on the mountain front accelerates the Allied advance in Italy.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:29

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The Devil’s Brigade Summary

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The Devil’s Brigade Summary

The Devil’s Brigade Timeline

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The Devil’s Brigade Timeline

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