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.

They just don't make movies like this anymore. Very entertaining and realistic. It always seemed that these old films were always technically accurate even though their budget had to be minuscule. Maybe it was because the cast and crew had all served in the military during WWII and it wasn't necessary to do a lot of research on equipment, events, etc. Appealing in its own way just as "Saving Private Ryan" is another. Would love to see again.

This no-frills account of a squad of GI's, separated from their outfit in the North African campaign during World War 11 peels away the glamor of soldiering and leaves one only with its desperation and misery. Yet, it is not depressing, as it shows how human beings go on in the face of apparent hopelessness. The climax is gripping. Ironically, I came upon the film by accident, since there was an error in the program listing in the paper.

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).

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.