Commando (1962)

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

I have similar memories to other reviewers having seen the film in 1963/64 at the age of 13. What made the biggest impression on me were the opening credits which I recall being genuine footage of street fighting in Algiers which would freeze to display a credit and then move on. All to the sound of Concerto Disperato played, presumably, by Nino Rosso. Concerto Disperato is available on Nini Rosso Greatest Hits CDs. But my advice is to ignore as the Ken Thorne version is far superior a) in terms of trumpet playing and b) arrangement. Especially as Nini Rosso sings (badly) over the middle section. But getting a genuine CD recording has alluded me for years. I have a ripped mp3 (off a 45). The film overall made a big impression but I often wonder whether, if I saw it now, I would be bitterly disappointed. After all, I was only 13 when I saw it.

I too saw this movie on one of the days I went AWOL at school as a 15 year old in Sunderland, U.K.1t has always stuck in my mind as a film that moved me because of its human interaction and stirring heroic scenes of a struggle against the odds.I remember distinctly having unexpected feelings of frustration and a little anger at the futility and injustice of the soldier's plight and came out of the theatre puzzled as to how this seemingly average ,unheralded B movie, could affect me so much ! I have since had similar emotions with only a few films during my movie lifetime with "one flew over the cuckoo's nest" and "Midnight Express " springing immediately to mind. I would like to see this film again just to confirm that it really had the qualities that I remember. Maybe it was just a shallow story ,poorly acted and which fooled an impressionable lad. In any case I am sure that it was more memorable than anything that I would have been bombarded with at school that day.

I watched this film in my early teens and I loved every scene of the film including the signature tune. If I know where I can get a copy of the film I will simply buy it.I still remember the captain shooting dead one of his soldiers in sympathy to his request "Captain Save Me". Also just consider when after the capture of the rebel leader the group's hope of returning unscathed was shattered when the aircraft sent to take them back was shot down.The final blow for the captain was on his return with the rebel leader the political circumstances had all changed in favour of the rebel leader and he was no linger a "wanted" rebel but a hero needed to play an key role in the new political system. Most of us the audience felt for the captain considering the fact that among the troop that went after the rebel leader he was the only survivor. He returned with the captured rebel leader and the young boy found in the ruined building.The scene prior to the soldiers hunt where a dancing woman was hit in the stomach with catapult is still fresh in my mind.

Like your other reviewers, I remember this film from my childhood. The Plot was stirring, the plight the soldiers found themselves in was gripping yet desperate, and the music both haunting and memorable.I can only recall the scenes mentioned by other reviewers, such as the tortured soldier, who's life was ended by a bullet from Granger, with the approval of his comrades in arms, yet none of them would have shown the strength of personality to perform the act.I only wish that this film was available on DVD or other media to relive again. If anyone knows whether it is due for release, I am sure I will be one of many who would be glad to know.