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Ep 64 – The Devil’s Brigade – The Birth of the Black Devils on Monte la Difensa

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In this episode of Rosie the Reviewer, we take on the 1968 WWII film The Devil’s Brigade, a movie full of misfit characters, Italian mountains, and a whole lot of bagpipes. Based on a real American-Canadian commando unit known as the Devil’s Brigade or the Black Devils, the film mixes adventure with questionable casting choices (why does everyone look 47 or up?) and a fun hour long training session. We talk about William Holden, snake collections, the birth of the Green Berets, and good old Americans scrapping with Canadians. Also: fake red berets, what’s up with that?

The Devil's Brigade trailer

Book Rec by Sam

The Devil’s Brigade by Robert H. Adleman and George Walton is the nonfiction book the film is based on, co-authored by a member of the First Special Service Force. It offers rich insight into the origins, training, and dramatic missions of the Black Devils—and clears up which parts Hollywood got wrong.

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