Strangely inconsistent movie that was clearly done on a minuscule budget where accuracy and continuity mean little. Lloyd Bridges is not exactly renowned for his acting style - he's in it to help sell the movie in the US. The rest of the cast are all British stalwarts.Much of the fight scenes appear to have been filmed on derelict St Katherine's Dock of the late 60s before it was revamped to be one of the most desirable areas of London. Tower Bridge can be observed in the background in some shots. It also looks like the fight scenes were filmed in the same location or possibly around Pinewood Studios. The idea that the small St Katherine's dry dock could actually double up as dry dock for giant German battleships is quite ludicrous.I noticed also the cast making dialogue mistakes. British naval officers would always say "Left-tenant", even it's written as "Lieutenant".They also say they are leaving Portsmouth to carry out the raid but they pass through Tower Bridge and supporting shots look like the defunct docks where London City Airport is now.On the other hand some accuracy which could have been down to luck - one officer checks his watch and it's an Omega brand which is a Swiss manufacturer commonly supplying the UK military for many years.Overall the movie is one for collectors of the genre.

Lloyd Bridges is appropriately grim as an obsessed Canadian commando leader on a suicidal mission against the Third Reich in the United Artists' release "Attack on the Iron Cross." Andrew Keir, Maurice Denham, and Walter Gotell share the screen with the "Sea Hunt" star in this atmospheric, 90-minute epic plagued by second-rate model work and anemic characterization. This low-budget World War II thriller marked the first collaboration between "The Burglar" director Paul Wendkos and scenarist Herman Hoffman; a year later Hoffman reunited with the director on "Guns of the Magnificent Seven." Clearly, "Attack on the Iron Coast" doesn't show Wendkos in the best light. The combat sequences are adequate but immaculate. Soldiers spin, fall, and tumble but they don;t bleed. Not only does this United Artists release imitate the narrative of "633 Squadron," but also the producers have recycled composer Rod Goodwin's "633" compositions. Oddly enough, one seems to underline the other. Compare the use of certain musical cues with those in "633 Squadron" and you can tell what is happening.An aura of foreboding hangs like The Sword of Damocles over a top-secret raid in this wartime actioneer. Our heroes plunge into combat on the French coast at the port of Le Claire. Le Claire ranks as the German fleet's most vital and important installation on the French coast. Actually, the raid resembles the historic St. Nazaire raid in 1942. The commandos follow headstrong commander Major Wilson (Lloyd Bridges) into enemy country. Over an hour elapses before we are treated to gunfire galore on enemy soil. Wendkos and Hoffman focus largely on the Allies and the agonies of Major Wilson who defends the mission despite the wrath of his worst critics. One of those critics is Captain Franklin (Andrew Keir) who lost his son during a previous attempt to sabotage those German coastal facilities. The closest "Iron Coast" comes to conflict is the drama between Wilson and Franklin. We get only the merest glimpse of the Germans before our heroes apply burnt cork to their faces. Altogether, this exercise in stiff upper lip heroics is lackluster until the commandos launch their raid. "Attack on the Iron Coast" is far from memorable but eminently tolerable. Wendkos deploys his trademark Dutch tilt camera set-ups brilliantly at the outset and during the combat mission.Competently made but lackluster, "Attack on the Iron Coast" is only for World War II fanatics who haven't seen it or insomniacs.

The film is about a bizarre plan to take a nearly obsolete old naval ship filled with explosives and crash it into a Nazi port--thus crippling the German's ability to use it for their ships. It all sounds very straight forward--and that's EXACTLY what it is. It's a very, very simple plot that is stretched and stretched (often by adding macho theatrics) to the point of boredom. In the end, there are no big surprises. However, I was glad to see the major characters all die in the finale--that way I know they never went on to make a sequel!! The 1960s had a bunch of fine war films--"The Guns of Navarone", "Where Eagles Dare", "The Dirty Dozen", "The Longest Day"--the list could go on and on...but it NEVER will include the likes of "Attack on the Iron Coast"! Despite the presence of Lloyd Bridges, this is a very cheap film--with lots of recycled film footage and a plot that just limps along to the conclusion. I only recommend it for die-hard war film fans--REAL die-hard fans, indeed! Things to look for: Lloyd Bridges playing a Canadian--yet, inexplicably, his wife and son have British accents! Also, if you want, spot the footage from previous films.

Well yes this is a bad movie, there is nothing I can do or say that can change that. Its story is unbelievable and impractical, why would a group of soliders go all the way over to france with no possible way back!!! almost facing death ( pre June 44` that is ). Bridges gives a strange performance as the troubled leader of this rough bunch of men, ready to do all for England. He constantly seems troubled in what he is actually doing.Iron Coast follows a whole host of war movies that tries to follow that boys adventure story routine. It also tries to relate also to the Nazi situation by familiarising you with its officers. Some cast performances are worth memorising however, particularly private Pringle ( Dick Haydon ) but he is my uncle so I am a little predudice. Overall this movie is a flop, shame but the truth.