It was directed by Robert Day and starred Ken Berry, Jim Hutton, Trini López, Don Marshall, Ralph Meeker, Cameron Mitchell and Warren Oates.
[2] They are led by the inexperienced Lt. Parnell Murphy (Ken Berry), who is a military historian with no combat experience.
In order to defend Hill 656, which has strategic importance, he uses military tactics of Napoleon and Alexander the Great,[3] which he draws from his own studies in history.
[5][6] Even though the film was lacking in some areas, its emphasis was correct on the strategic importance of bridges.
[5] The Los Angeles Times said "there is nothing new in the movie" but it "has its entertaining moments mostly because the players on the screen are so easy to watch.