Robert aldrich directs this classic american war film starring lee marvin, ernest borgnine and charles bronson. In 1944, 12 death row convicts are selected by major john reisman marvin and his commander major general sam worden borgnine for a suicide mission code named operation amnesty. With the aid of his assistant, sergeant bowren richard jaeckel, reisman gradually moulds his gang of murderers, rapists, thieves and psychotics into a tough fighting unit. He leads them into occupied france in an attempt to infiltrate a chateau where the nazi top brass are holding a summit. The cast also includes john cassavetes, jim brown, george kennedy, ralph meeker and robert ryan. Running time 147 minutes region region 2 release date 31 05 2004