The Secret Invasion
The Secret Invasion
| 16 September 1964 (USA)
The Secret Invasion Trailers

During World War II, convicts are recruited by the Allies for an extremely hazardous mission.

Reviews
Inclubabu Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.
Reptileenbu Did you people see the same film I saw?
Robert Joyner The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
Beulah Bram A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.
Jeff (actionrating.com) See it- Raise your hand if you like a rousing World War 2 suicide mission movie. Well here's one you may not have even heard of. A team of soldiers with special skills attempt to tunnel into a Nazi fortress to break out an Italian prisoner of war. When things go wrong, they must use their skills to make one last desperate attempt to accomplish their mission. Great action scenes include a rooftop gunfight, the hijacking of a Nazi boat, and a long escape/battle through the Balkan mountains. Unfortunately, like all good B-movies, it has its share of corny moments. For instance one of the soldier's special skills is forgery. It's kind of hard not to chuckle when the soldier, after being tortured, says with a straight face, "It's okay, they didn't hurt my writing hand." This war film has no huge movie stars, but familiar faces include Stewart Granger, Raf Vallone, Mickey Rooney, and Henry Silva. 3.5 action rating.
wes-connors In Cairo, Egypt, during World War II, British Major Stewart Granger (as Richard Mace) pardons five criminals from prison - "master of disguise" William Campbell (as Jean Saval), boozy Irish revolutionary Mickey Rooney (as Terence Scanlon), well-coiffed forger Edd Byrnes (as Simon Fell), close-mouthed assassin Henry Silva (as John Durrell), and educated crime lord Raf Vallone (as Roberto Rocca). The quintet agreed to cooperate in a potentially suicidal mission. They are to infiltrate a German prison, and free a general. But, the Nazis have other plans. "The Secret Invasion" is relatively bloody for its time, with good action and locations.***** The Secret Invasion (9/16/63) Roger Corman ~ Stewart Granger, Raf Vallone, Mickey Rooney, Edd Byrnes
Gunn This film was a big disappointment. It lacked energy, a good cast, involvement and enthusiasm. I blame most of this on the director and an equal amount on the editor. It was chock full of bad cuts and continuity errors, e.g. the key scene where Henry Silva quiets the crying infant. Silva, Raf Vallone and a few others were the only assets to the cast. It was Stewart Granger, Mickey Rooney and above all Edd "Kookie" Byrnes whose acting was really bad. The script was very badly written and formulaic. The film might've worked with better casting, directing, and a better script, but I doubt it very much as this type of story has been told before and with more energy. Its only pluses were a decent score and excellent cinematography. All in all this was a 'bust'!
mrskywalker This film cut out much of the extra stuff that was in the Dirty Dozen. It also did not have a maggot character like Savalas played in the dozen. The film had a few unexpected turns and did not turn to the revolting conclusion of the Dirty Dozen. Secret Invasion had a better premise than Dozen.In Dozen the mission was to kill as many German officers as possible at a castle which also would include their their wives and girlfriends. In Secret Invasion the mission was to rescue a popular Italian general from German captivity so that he could return to lead Italian forces. At that time many Italians wavered between German and Allied forces so a strong leader could turn the tide so Italians would join the Allied cause.The film demands some understanding of the war to fully understand the plot. It also shows glimpses into the Yugoslavian underground which supported the U.S. There are plenty of convincing battle scenes and Corman does a fine job of directing with good acting. Great to see on cable instead of the usual more talky Second World War films.