Hell Squad
Hell Squad
NR | 01 June 1958 (USA)
Hell Squad Trailers

During World War II, a squad of five American soldiers become lost in Tunisia and are killed one by one in fights with German units. Finally only one man, Private Russo, is left, in the midst of a mine field, together with a German officer, locked in a stalemate. Russo has water, while the German claims to have a map revealing the mine positions. So Russo agrees to swap water for the map, but the German officer tries to double-cross him. This was Burt Topper's debut film, made on 16mm on weekends together with some friends in Indio, California. It was also Wally Campo's debut film, as well as script supervisor Joyce King's.

Reviews
sebo-3

The main cast performed brilliantly in this low-budget no frills movie. But how can anyone overlook the resounding performance of Curtis Loser in his first (and last) major film role. The role of 'German radio operator in an American Uniform' took hours of taxing work and it was a demanding role. But Loser pulls it off wonderfully. A masterpiece on Loser's part.

... View More
mreid1949

They just don't make movies like this anymore. Very entertaining and realistic. It always seemed that these old films were always technically accurate even though their budget had to be minuscule. Maybe it was because the cast and crew had all served in the military during WWII and it wasn't necessary to do a lot of research on equipment, events, etc. Appealing in its own way just as "Saving Private Ryan" is another. Would love to see again.

... View More
John Seal

Here's one film where the low budget really helped. The anonymity of the cast lends a realistic touch and the lack of frills, plus the desert locations (presumably Southern California) all add up to a minor but enjoyable war flick. Apparently this was supposed to make a star of Wally Campo, and judging from his performance he should have had more work than the dozen or so genre flicks he ended up in.

... View More
gillyboy

This no-frills account of a squad of GI's, separated from their outfit in the North African campaign during World War 11 peels away the glamor of soldiering and leaves one only with its desperation and misery. Yet, it is not depressing, as it shows how human beings go on in the face of apparent hopelessness. The climax is gripping. Ironically, I came upon the film by accident, since there was an error in the program listing in the paper.

... View More