Dark of the Sun (DVD)

Take elite commandos, send them on a do-or-die assignment and sit back and watch the action explode. The men-on-a-mission formula that worked in 1967's the Dirty Dozen and in Where Eagles Dare (released in the U.S. in 1969) provides another salvo of volatile screen adventure with this strike-force saga released in 1968. Rod Taylor and Jim Brown are among a mercenary unit rolling on a steam train across the Congo, headed for the dual tasks of rescuing civilians imperiled by rebels and recovering a cache of diamonds. The film's violence is fierce, unforgiving, ahead of it's time. Quentin Tarantino would offer a tribute of sorts to this red-blooded wallop of a cult fave by using part of it's compelling score in Inglourious Basterds.

Starring: Rod Taylor, Yvette Mimieux, Peter Carsten, Jim Brown, Kenneth More, Andre Morell, Olivier Despax, Guy Deghy, Bloke Modisane, Calvin Lockhart, Alan Gifford, David Bauer, Murray Kash, John Serret, Danny Daniels, Monique Lucas, Louise Bennett, Paul Jantzen, Emery J. Ujvari, Alex Gradussov

Director: George Englund

Rating: PG