Hell Squad

A lot better than expected for an ultra-cheap war movie that was filmed on weekends by writer-producer-director Burt Topper. Wally Compo has the key role as a private in a small troop of soldiers separated from their unit whose numbers seem to grow smaller with every sand dune that they pass. Hell Squad has all the things low budget movies usually lack - decent script, passable acting and some tense situations.

This "B" war film has "A" credibility for realistic drama in war.

A typical motif done well. The motif is a small unit of soldiers stuck behind enemy lines.

There is a lot going for this film. A good script is the chief reason. We get some realistic emotion in a situation of deadly danger that is no game.

Best of all, we get a "roll the dice" or "let the cards fall where they may fall" story here. There's no "contrived Hollywood predictability of bullets only finding good guys and underlings. There's no "ticket" to immortality by being the usual creep, officer, or man with a secret that means a bullet can't find you. The bullet or grenade can hit anyone at any time.

In other words, the viewer doesn't feel like the writer and director is prancing around behind the hill. It's a "natural and uncontrived" chain of events.

Which sets this apart from the usual Hollywood formula movie that owned the industry after about 1965. Cleverly done, which is probably why the bubble boys won't care for this one.

Possibly inspired by 'Fear and Desire'. This psychological war movie seemingly shot entirely on location comprises an impressive writing-producing-directing debut by Burt Topper.

Topper was plainly no Kubrick - who was? - but does a sound job wearing all three of his hats; and gets good performances out of all his cast, led by bearded Wally Campo (also given an 'introducing' credit).

The main cast performed brilliantly in this low-budget no frills movie. But how can anyone overlook the resounding performance of Curtis Loser in his first (and last) major film role. The role of 'German radio operator in an American Uniform' took hours of taxing work and it was a demanding role. But Loser pulls it off wonderfully. A masterpiece on Loser's part.

Here's one film where the low budget really helped. The anonymity of the cast lends a realistic touch and the lack of frills, plus the desert locations (presumably Southern California) all add up to a minor but enjoyable war flick. Apparently this was supposed to make a star of Wally Campo, and judging from his performance he should have had more work than the dozen or so genre flicks he ended up in.