From the first scene in "The Silent Raiders," I had a sense that I was about to watch a movie about an Army unit in war that had little, if anything, real about it. The commentary by the lieutenant gave the impression that his unit was something like a smaller rendition of "The Dirty Dozen." But the differences were plenty. He had no confidence in any of their particular "skills." They weren't particularly able GIs chosen for their talents and abilities. They had little preparation for their mission. This was taking place just before the D-Day landing in Normandy, June 6, 1944. U.S. troops and our allies had been building up and training in England for that event since late 1942. So this small unit comes together for a special mission in just the last two months?Next scenes – the bickering, and loud fighting among the men. Where was their fear, caution or sense of real danger of being discovered or shot? Where was their discipline? Or, how about their standing up and walking upright, close together, in enemy territory. In basic and advanced military training, soldiers learn to crawl, crouch close to the ground, and keep from bunching up. Indeed, some of these guys didn't appear to be in top physical shape. This film must have had such a tight budget that they couldn't afford to rent or borrow three rifles for the German troops whom the invaders jumped on the road. I actually found that scene hilarious – three German soldiers marching on a road in single file with only holstered pistols for weapons. Another reviewer commented on the scene when a soldier kills a German in a house and then begins to take up with the young woman who was with the German. What real smarts and sense of the danger of a mission behind enemy lines! Did anyone feel a sense of justice when the stabbed German soldier had enough strength left to shoot the stupid American? An absolutely unbelievable scene – unbelievable that it would be in the script and that they would use it. I'm sure that we may have had some depraved individuals serve in our Armed Forces in the past, including in wartime. But was there ever anyone as dumb as that GI? His hormones for sex were stronger than his adrenaline and fear for his life deep behind enemy lines? Come on, Hollywood. Get real!Where was the communications center? I couldn't tell. We don't see any considerable security that the Germans would have had for such a center. It's no wonder that most of the members of that special squad didn't make it back. This was a real stink-bomb of a film. I can tolerate some low-budget stuff in war films, so long as they have a trace of a plot and accurately portray GIs. But this film missed on all counts.

Shot for what was less than my annual salary when I was last employed and even less than my New York state pension, The Silent Raiders has the look of cheapness that Sam Katzman pioneered at Monogram and that Lippert Pictures did its best to uphold. A cast of people you will not know are in this World War II film about Commandos raiding into France to blow up a communication station 24 hours before D-Day.Even at that they were wrong at the beginning of The Silent Raiders as the opening credits say that this took place in SOUTHERN France. With that I thought this was about the landings that took place a few months after D-Day on the Riviera. The only movie I recall ever being made about that operation or the aftermath thereof is the Frank Sinatra/Tony Curtis classic Kings Go Forth.And of course it bothered me that the term Commando was used. In the American army I thought the proper term was Ranger. Slightly over an hour in running time, The Silent Raiders is mostly preoccupied with the two sergeants on the mission and a subdued rivalry between the two of them. But what totally through me for a loop was the fact that when they got to their objective one of the men sees a German soldier being entertained by some cute French mam'selle and decides to cut himself in on the action. I mean really.Films like this killed Lippert Pictures.

True, you won't see many familiar faces in this cast, however, they do turn out some first-rate performances. Bartlett is the career sergeant, and Lyon the "Hollywood-type" just in for the duration, but both are driven, in the end to do their duty and serve their country. The low-key, downbeat ending is chilling, but realistic.

A gritty, low-budget, WWII drama high-lighted by fine performances from a cast of virtual unknowns. Commando team lands on the beach just prior to D-Day to knock out Nazi communications center. Stars Lyon and Bartlett turn-out great drama. Lyon wrote and performed the haunting title song. This is obviously a quickie production, hence the plot isn't as well developed as it could have been, however, for a first entry by the film makers it remains respectable. Also of note is the score by "newcomer" Elmer Berstein. Sadly, this film is over-looked and seldom available for viewing. NO, this was NOT one of Lippert's 'overseas endeavors' but was directed and produced by Bartlett and Lyon, released by Lippert, and filmed in Malibu California. In a recent interview, producer Lyon revealed that the picture was made for a measly $27000! Lyon and Bartlett also worked on the Lippert produced "Silver Star" and "Lonesome Trail."