The movie weaves together a narrative about an American military group’s journey across Europe, incorporating WWII newsreel clips. We follow "Capt. Chase" (George Peppard), his companion "Cpl. Trower" (George Hamilton), and experienced sergeant "Joe" (Eli Wallach) as they encounter various dangers, beginning shortly after their arrival in Sicily and concluding—for some of them—in Berlin. The battle sequences themselves aren't particularly memorable, but the film distinguishes itself through its portrayal of women’s roles. Jean Moreau delivers a powerful performance as a French woman whose home the soldiers take over, while Melina Mercouri embodies "Magda," an intelligent and cunning club owner. Then there are "Helga" (Elke Summer) and "Trudi" (Senta Berger), who must navigate life under the occupying forces in Berlin. It’s their viewpoints that set this apart and largely contribute to the film's sense of humanity, despite its nearly three-hour length. The story sometimes feels like a series of disconnected events, which I felt disrupted the flow somewhat. Sadly, the primary cast—particularly Hamilton who seemed quite unconvincing—disappointed, with Wallach being the notable exception. There’s an excess of drawn-out conversations, and director Carl Foreman occasionally struggled to maintain audience interest in this often meandering drama. While it boasts a strong supporting ensemble, moments from actors like Mervyn Johns and Romy Schneider provide welcome respites from the intensity of the wartime visuals. It's not a poor film by any means, but there’s simply too much filler alongside the worthwhile parts.

Source on TMDB