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Action Cult Classic

Behind enemy lines in North Africa, survival depends on disguise and uneasy alliances.

COMMANDOS

Seven men who stood between Rommel's Afrika Korps and ultimate victory

1968 · 1h 52m · PG · Action / Drama / War · IMDB TMDB

During World War II, an Italian-American commando outfit disguised as an Italian Army unit is parachuted behind Axis lines in North Africa.

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Quick Answer

What is Commandos about?

Commandos is a 1968 German-Italian action war drama directed by Armando Crispino about an Italian-American commando unit who disguise themselves as Italian soldiers to infiltrate an Axis camp in North Africa during World War II.

Programmer's Pick

Commandos delivers desert grit and internal grit—where every disguise is a gamble and trust is more fragile than a sandcastle. Lee Van Cleef brings his trademark edge to a mission where the enemy isn’t always on the other side of the gun. If you’re craving WWII action with moral ambiguity and plenty of stylized violence, this one’s locked and loaded.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Set amid the harsh deserts of North Africa during World War II, Commandos follows Sgt. Sullivan as he assembles a team of Italian-American soldiers for a dangerous infiltration mission. Disguised as Italian troops, the group parachutes behind enemy lines to penetrate an Axis-held camp. Tensions quickly rise within the unit: Sullivan doubts the abilities of their commanding officer, Captain Valli, whom he sees as inexperienced, while Valli is wary of Sullivan’s relentless approach to warfare. With each commando possessing specialized skills, the unit must navigate not only the perils of war but also clashing leadership styles and moral dilemmas as their covert operation unfolds. Expect gritty battlefield action, subterfuge, and the psychological costs of undercover warfare.

Details & Specs

Director
Armando Crispino
Writers
Menahem Golan, Don Martin, Artur Brauner, Lucio Battistrada, Armando Crispino, Stefano Strucchi, Dario Argento
Release
1968
Runtime
1h 52m
Country
Germany, Italy
Language
Italian
Genres
Action, Drama, War
Also Known As
Commandos - itsemurhapartio, Sullivan's Marauders, 修利文敢死队

Why This Matters

This Italian-produced war film features a screenplay co-written by Dario Argento, who would later become known for his work in the giallo and horror genres, and stars Lee Van Cleef under the direction of Armando Crispino.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Armando Crispino Writers: Menahem Golan +6 more
Lee Van Cleef Lee Van Cleef MSgt. Sullivan Jack Kelly Jack Kelly Captain Valli Giampiero Albertini Giampiero Albertini Aldo Marino Masé Marino Masé Tomassini Götz George Götz George Rudi Pier Paolo Capponi Pier Paolo Capponi Corbi Ivano Staccioli Ivano Staccioli Rodolfo Marilù Tolo Marilù Tolo Adriana Joachim Fuchsberger Joachim Fuchsberger Oberleutnant Heitzel Agen (Professor) (als Akim Berg) Heinz Reincke Heinz Reincke Offizier Hans Helmut Schmid Helmut Schmid Miller Otto Stern Otto Stern Braumann GB Gianni Brezza Marco Duilio Del Prete Duilio Del Prete Bruno EM Emilio Marchesini Antonio Biagio Pelligra Biagio Pelligra Carmelo Lorenzo Piani Lorenzo Piani Bianca Giacomo Piperno Giacomo Piperno Vincenzino Romano Puppo Romano Puppo Dino FC Franco Cobianchi Abu Ali Gianni Pulone Gianni Pulone Mario Giovanni Ivan Scratuglia Giovanni Ivan Scratuglia Soldier

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Why Cult

Desert Infiltration Drama

The film plunges a commando unit deep into North Africa for a high-stakes mission behind enemy lines, complete with disguises and tense subterfuge.

Lee Van Cleef Command

Lee Van Cleef leads as the hardened Sgt. Sullivan, bringing gravitas and edge to the team’s fraught mission.

Moral Divide & Leadership

Conflict simmers between Sullivan and Captain Valli as they clash over ethics and strategy, adding psychological tension to the action.

Stylized War Violence

Expect bayonets, knife throwing, gun battles, and explosive action delivered with a stylized, gritty flair.

Scene Gallery

Questions from the Vault

When was Commandos released? +

Commandos was released in 1968.

Who directed Commandos? +

Commandos was directed by Armando Crispino.

How long is Commandos? +

Commandos has a runtime of 112 minutes.

What genre is Commandos? +

Commandos is an action, drama, and war film.

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