It seemed that everyone wanted to see the movie when it came out, and it’s still one of the best war movies of all time. If it’s your favorite, you might be surprised to learn of a few details you could have missed. There are plenty of things to explore, so keep reading!
It’s Judgement Day
The Dirty Dozen was a bold, brash, and bloody World War II film, and it was years ahead of its time. Though you may not have seen it a dozen times in your life, you might be intrigued by the little-known facts that give a new perspective on it all.
It’s Judgement Day
Lee Marvin Hated It
One of the harshest criticisms about the film didn’t come from the press. The film’s leading actor said it was just a dummy money-maker. Though he liked The Dirty Dozen, he believed the plot didn’t deal with the reality of combat!
Lee Marvin Hated It
Clint Walker Didn’t Play a Famous Scene
Vernon L. Pinkley (Donald Sutherland) was a troop-inspecting general, and it’s an unforgettable scene. However, the imposter was supposed to be Clint Walker’s character, but he refused to do the part! Still, it doesn’t seem to have affected the movie!
Clint Walker Didn’t Play A Famous Scene
Jim Brown Retired
When Jim Brown (the football player-turned-actor) took the part for Robert T. Jefferson, he was under a contract with the Cleveland Browns. He had to retire from football or risk delaying his return to training to film the movie.
Jim Brown Retired
Permanently Leaving the NFL
The NFL threatened suspension and a financial penalty. Brown didn’t like the unreasonable demand, so he officially retired from sports and confirmed it with the mainstream press at the time. Sometimes, people wonder what he might have accomplished as a football pro!
Permanently Leaving The NFL
Charles Bronson’s Father Was a Miner
In one of the backstories for The Dirty Dozen, art imitated real life. Charles Bronson played the Joseph Wladislaw character and claims that his father actually worked in the Poland mines for a while. It’s a bit uncanny!
Charles Bronson’s Father Was A Miner
Experienced Miner
The actor’s real dad did the same thing when he was an actor in his native town of Lithuania. In a sense, Bronson had an understanding of the coal mining industry while he grew up in Pennsylvania. At least he knew what they went through!
Experienced Miner
Well-Built Fake Chateau
The fake chateau erected for The Dirty Dozen was designed to be demolished. However, the construction crew did a great job of building it. In fact, it required about 70 tons of dynamite to blow the structure up!
Well Built Fake Chateau
Quick Fix
Overall, the quick-thinking designers had to reconstruct a part of the building for a special scene. They used flimsier materials like cork and plastic to save time and money. Boom! It was knocked down!
Quick Fix
Ventriloquist
Victor Franko was a ventriloquist, or the sound editing crew made a mistake during a scene. When Wladislaw gets beaten in the movie, an ex-criminal says a mocking statement. However, the words spoken don’t correspond with the shapes John Cassavetes made with his mouth!
Ventriloquist
Sean Connery Nearly Punches Lee Martin
Lee Martin spent some time at a London party, taking advantage of the many free beverages on offer. However, he ended up saying something inappropriate to a woman. Unfortunately for him, she was Sean Connery’s aunt!
Sean Connery Nearly Punches Lee Martin
No Hitting the Face
Kenneth Hyman was the producer and pleaded with Sean Connery not to hit him in the face because the 007 actor was quickly approaching Marvin. Connery stopped short and spared Martin’s face because he was getting close-up the next day.
No Hitting The Face
The Secret Code
Marvin’s and Bronson’s fast ringing of the doorbell three times has some significance. The first four notes were taken from the 5th Symphony, composed by Ludwig van Beethoven. It was used as the Allies’ anthem in World War II. In Morse code, the sequence indicates a letter “V” to stand for victory.
The Secret Code
Aldrich Disliked England
Overall, Aldrich didn’t like the English production team. In fact, he was quite irritated because they couldn’t keep up with the fast-paced shooting style he preferred. Still, things got done, allowing everyone to go their separate ways.
Aldrich Disliked England
Love a Good Stroll
However, the big actors from The Dirty Dozen truly enjoyed their time while in London. In fact, they were spotted strolling along the city streets frequently when they weren’t needed at the set.
Love A Good Stroll
Over Half the Main Cast Fought
Most of the cast members from The Dirty Dozen had fought in one war or another. Therefore, they relied on real-life experiences. For example, Charles Bronson, George Kennedy, and Telly Savalas all served in the Army during WWII.
Over Half The Main Cast Fought
They Experienced War
Clint Walker and Robert Ryan were in the Marines while also playing in the film. Plus, Ernest Borgnine was in the Navy. Therefore, they had an upper hand because they knew what military life was like.
They Experienced War
The Forced Haircuts
Aldrich, the producer, wanted the cast members to look realistic, so he ordered them to change their haircuts. Marvin didn’t mind the crew cut, but his co-stars weren’t as happy with the whole thing.
The Forced Haircuts
Haircut Is Required
The men were heading to the barbershop and complaining the whole time. Aldrich had to keep telling them that they could be subject to legal problems if they didn’t cooperate because it was in their contracts.
Haircut Is Required
Magical Windshields
You see various continuity flaws in the movie. For example, Bronson is driving a Jeep without a windshield in one scene. The camera shifts angles to the side, where you see a pane of glass there!
Magical Windshields
John Wayne Turned Down a Role
John Wayne was set to play Major John Reisman originally. However, the Western actor didn’t like the character’s relationship with a married woman. Fortunately, Lee Marvin didn’t have those reservations and accepted the role.
John Wayne Turned Down A Role
The Mini-Reunion
Four members of the original cast of The Dirty Dozen reunited in 1998 for Small Soldiers, a children’s action film. However, Kennedy, Walker, Brown, and Borgnine didn’t appear on that big screen.
The Mini Reunion
Voice Actors
However, that doesn’t mean they weren’t still there. The legends were asked to provide voice-overs for the animated characters. They even recited some of their most well-known lines!
Voice Actors
Bronson Threatening Marvin about Drinking
While filming, Marvin caused quite a stir. He failed to show for one of his scenes, so his co-star, Bronson, went searching for him. Bronson discovered this icon in a London bar, asking what was wrong.
Bronson Threatening Marvin About Drinking
Too Drunk for Shooting
Marvin couldn’t wake up, even though he was drinking tons of coffee. When they got back to the set, Marvin fell out of the vehicle. Bronson got angry and threatened to murder him! Whether it was a legitimate threat or something he said out of frustration, it straightened the actor up!
Too Drunk For Shooting
Aldrich Having Fun
Though Aldrich had many responsibilities, he always took the time to have fun. He placed Bronson (5’9″) next to Sutherland and Walker, who were both over 6’4″ during the sequence of the first inspection. He laughed quietly at Bronson’s answer for a few minutes!
Aldrich Having Fun
Bronson’s Thoughts on Violence
Bronson made a career out of playing tough, vindictive men in films (like in Death Wish). However, he believed that The Dirty Dozen was too savage and violent. It’s a little hard to believe!
Bronson’s Thoughts On Violence
Couldn’t Take It
In fact, Bronson was presented with the show and saw the amount of blood in it. He was so disturbed that he ended up leaving the viewing at the halfway mark. Overall, he just couldn’t endure all that blood.
Couldn’t Take It
Improvised Drink Choking Scene
Nunnally Johnson wrote The Dirty Dozen script and was an Oscar nominee. However, he let the cast members improvise sometimes. For example, General Worden almost chokes as he learns about the soldiers’ pranks, and that was unscripted!
Improvised Drink Choking Scene
Multiple Spinoffs
Did you know that the adventures in The Dirty Dozen extended to multiple film and television spinoffs in the 1980s? Marvin, Borgnine, and Richard Jaechel returned in 1985 for Next Mission.
Multiple Spinoffs
It Continued
Savalas played Major Wright in The Deadly Mission two years later, and it was a different character. Then, he co-starred with Borgnine for The Fatal Mission in 1988. That same year, a television series was made but had a different cast.
It Continued
Being a Star
Because Brown was a Cleveland Browns star, he got a boost with his acting career. At first, his character was supposed to have less screen time. However, Aldrich was an NFL enthusiast and was excited to see the sports legend, so he chose to extend his part.
Being A Star
Not the Dirty Dozen
It’s hard to imagine this war film being called anything else, but The Dirty Dozen wasn’t the original title. Marvin revealed in a TCM biography that it was supposed to be called Operation Dirty Dozen. Both have a nice ring to them!
Not The Dirty Dozen
Costume Error
The dozen criminals-turned-soldiers learn that they’re supposed to go up against the Red Soldiers, which were led by Colonel Breed. They start out with red armbands. However, when they get there, they are blue!
Costume Error
Red Armbands
However, the men shouldn’t have worn red armbands at all. That might have alerted the enemy that they had those items and were a threat. When in that situation, camouflage is the best option!
Red Armbands
Friends Lend Inspiration
Marvin wanted to portray Major John Reisman well, so he drew from many sources, including his own. However, a real-life friend influenced him, too. The actor primarily based the character on John Miara, a man Marvin served with in the Marines.
Friends Lend Inspiration
Trini Lopez and Frank Sinatra Quit
Trini Lopez was a known crooner at the time. Since the filming of the movie was delayed, people worried it might hurt his musical career. Therefore, Frank Sinatra told him to drop the Jimenez character and get back to work.
Trini Lopez And Frank Sinatra Quit
No Pay Raise
However, some people thought the singer departed because his management company didn’t negotiate a pay raise before he left. Therefore, Lopez’s character had to be killed off instead of being a war hero.
No Pay Raise
Homage to the Last Supper
The 12 characters are shown eating in a guard’s room before their final assignment. They’re all on one side and face away from the wall. Many people compare it to The Last Supper painting by Leonardo Da Vinci.
Homage To The Last Supper
Different Name
If you’re watching The Dirty Dozen in Spanish, you might notice that Cassavetes’ character uses a different name. While he’s called Franko originally, the Spanish version uses the name Franchi!
Different Name
