Character Relationship Map: The Devil's Brigade

Characters

• Lt. Col. Robert T. Frederick (played by William Holden) — protagonist

  Protagonist and commander of the 1st Special Service Force. Tasked with building an elite commando unit from American misfits and Canadian personnel, he successfully overcomes national friction, earns...

• Major Alan Crown (played by Cliff Robertson) — protagonist

  Major and senior officer under Frederick. Plays a key role in the operational command and integration of the mixed American-Canadian force during their training and subsequent Italian campaigns.

• Major Cliff Bricker (played by Vince Edwards) — supporting

  Major and senior officer under Frederick. Provides professional military structure and discipline, helping to channel the raw potential of the recruited misfits into a combat-ready unit.

• Pvt. Theodore Ransom (played by Andrew Prine) — supporting

  Private recruited from the pool of jailbirds and misfits at Fort William Henry Harrison. Represents the unpolished but determined recruits who undergo rigorous transformation under Frederick's command...

• Pvt. Al Manella (played by Tom Troupe) — supporting
• Sgt. Pat O'Neill (played by Jeremy Slate) — supporting

  Sergeant and non-commissioned officer within the brigade. Acts as a key link between the command structure and the enlisted ranks, enforcing discipline and fostering unit cohesion.

• The Lady of Joy (played by Gretchen Wyler) — minor
• Pvt. Henri Laurent (played by Jean-Paul Vignon) — minor
• Luke Phelan (played by Don Megowan) — minor
• Maj. Gen. Maxwell Hunter (played by Carroll O'Connor) — minor
• Brig. Gen. Walter Naylor (played by Dana Andrews) — minor
• Lt. Gen. Mark Clark (played by Michael Rennie) — minor
• Pvt. Hubert Hixon (played by Luke Askew) — minor
• MP Lieutenant (played by Norman Alden) — minor
• Capt. Rose (played by Harry Carey, Jr.) — minor
• Pvt. Rocky Rockman (played by Claude Akins) — supporting

  Private and former criminal/misfit among the initial American recruits. Embodies the rugged, unconventional background of the brigade's founding members, eventually proving his worth in combat.

• Capt. Cardwell (played by Tom Stern) — minor
• Cpl. Peacock (played by Jack Watson) — supporting

  Corporal serving in the 1st Special Service Force. Part of the diverse enlisted ranks that are forged from fractured individuals into a unified commando unit focused on defeating German forces.

• Pvt. Omar Greco (played by Richard Jaeckel) — supporting

  Private within the brigade. Represents the multicultural composition of the American contingent, contributing to the unit's gritty resilience and eventual success in the Italian campaign.

• Pvt. Bronc Guthrie (played by Bill Fletcher) — supporting

  Private recruited alongside other misfits and jailbirds. Illustrates the unconventional recruitment strategy that ultimately yields a highly motivated and cohesive commando force.

Story Analysis

An untrained mixed force overcomes internal rivalry and external odds to become a legendary Allied commando unit.

Plot Progression

1. Recruitment and Rivalry
2. Crisis and Persuasion
3. Italian Offensive
4. The Devil's Ascent