DramaWar

The Victors

- A Shattering Entertainment Experience!

Intercutting dramatic vignettes with newsreel footage, the story follows the characters from an infantry squad as they make their way from Sicily to Germany during the end of World War II.

Release Date : 1963-11-22

Language :EnglishGerman

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Highroad ProductionsColumbia PicturesOpen Road Films

Production Country : United KingdomUnited States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Character Name : Cpl. Chase

Original Name : George Peppard

Gender : Male

Character Name : Regine

Original Name : Romy Schneider

Gender : Female

Character Name : French Woman

Original Name : Jeanne Moreau

Gender : Female

Character Name : Trower

Original Name : George Hamilton

Gender : Male

Character Name : Weaver

Original Name : Peter Fonda

Gender : Male

Character Name : Sgt. Craig

Original Name : Eli Wallach

Gender : Male

Character Name : Russian Soldier

Original Name : Albert Finney

Gender : Male

Character Name : Baker

Original Name : Vince Edwards

Gender : Male

Character Name : Magda

Original Name : Μελίνα Μερκούρη

Gender : Female

Character Name : French Lieutenant

Original Name : Maurice Ronet

Gender : Male

Character Name : Maria

Original Name : Rosanna Schiaffino

Gender : Female

Character Name : Helga

Original Name : Elke Sommer

Gender : Female

Character Name : Eldridge

Original Name : Michael Callan

Gender : Male

Character Name : Grogan

Original Name : James Mitchum

Gender : Male

Character Name : Trudi

Original Name : Senta Berger

Gender : Female

Character Name : Herr Metzger

Original Name : Albert Lieven

Gender : Male

Character Name : Prostitute at Hotel de Flandre

Original Name : Marianne Stone

Gender : Female

Character Name : Policeman

Original Name : Peter Vaughan

Gender : Male

Character Name : Young French Girl

Original Name : Elizabeth Ercy

Gender : Female

Reviews

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2022-04-16

Interspersed with some newsreel footage from WWII, this story depicts the story of an American unit fighting their way through Europe. "Capt. Chase" (George Peppard), his friend "Cpl. Trower" (George Hamilton) and savvy sergeant "Joe" (Eli Wallach) face just about every hazard as we start shortly after they land in Sicily and end up (well some of them do) in Berlin. The combat elements of the film are unremarkable, to be honest, but what is striking here is the roles of the women. Starting with a super effort from the emotionally ravaged French lady whose home they must commandeer (Jean Moreau), then the clever and manipulative club owner "Magda" (Melina Mercouri) and finally "Helga" (Elke Summer) and "Trudi" (Senta Berger) who must make the most from the occupying powers in Berlin. It is their perspectives that make this a bit different and that contribute most to the humanity of this all but 3 hour marathon. At times it has an episodic feel to it, which I found disjointed the narrative a bit, and unfortunately the main casting - especially the really weak Hamilton, but with the exception of the on-form Wallach, just let the side down. There is far too much ponderous dialogue and Carl Foreman struggles at times to keep this frequently rambling drama engaging. It has a very strong supporting cast, and there are some nice touches now and again from the likes of Mervyn Johns and Romy Schneider to help it along, and give us a breather from the intensity of the wartime imagery. It is not a bad film this, but there is just too much chaff amongst the wheat.