Filming was originally planned for Israel, but once the producers discovered this would become an insurance nightmare, the movie was relocated to Spain, which had become a popular location for many spaghetti westerns. In fact, with only four big sand dunes in Almeria the location had its limitations. On one particular day director Andre De Toth was capturing shots of Rommel's Afrika Korps advancing across the desert towards El Alamein, only to be greeted over the hill by a stagecoach chased by American Indians.

The script was co-written by Melvyn 'Billy Bouffant' Bragg years before his television career had started and he received more critical acclaim for his novels. Bragg may well want to forget this project.

This predictable wartime story of inexperienced officer Michael Caine leading a unit to blow up an enemy fuel dump has its moments - especially when Nigel Davenport (father of ca't act, won't act, Jack) is around - but not many.

If this seems familiar, it's another take on The Dirty Dozen and, though, some of the skirmishes do have an impact, this is not in the same class as Robert Aldrich's film.

Contains violence and swearing.