In the mid-1980s, Charles Band scored a deal for his Empire Pictures by acquiring the old Dino De Laurentius studio. Based in Rome, this was where films like Barbarella and Danger: Diabolik were filmed, but it fell on hard times. After acquiring the studio, Band decided to relocate all of his productions to Rome, which continued until the company’s closing. Fresh off of making Trancers, the duo of Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo wanted to make a WWII picture. Specifically, they wanted to make an homage to the WWII-era B-movies made during and after the war. As part of their deal with Empire Pictures, Bilson was allowed to direct one film, so he chose this. Reuniting with some of the same cast as Trancers, they made what became Empire’s first Italian production. The result was the 1985 WWII sci-fi film, The Lost Patrol, which later changed to Zone Troopers.
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Synopsis
Somewhere in Italy, in 1944, a group of American soldiers led by Sgt. Stone (Tim Thomerson) is behind enemy lines. Unfortunately, they get ambushed by German soldiers, Sarge, Joey (Timothy Van Patten), Mittens (Art LaFleur), and Dolan (Biff Manard) surviving. While exploring the German countryside, the group gets separated as Mittens and Dolan find a German encampment. Meanwhile, Sarge and Joey discover a crashed alien spacecraft with a dead pilot, the co-pilot captured by the Germans. Mittens and Dolan end up getting captured by the Germans, who believe they have some connection to the alien. Sarge and Joey manage to bust Mittens and Dolan out and escape along with the alien after it saves them. They meet up with the alien’s companions, but they don’t prove to be much help, even when the Germans attack. Sarge and his fellow troops must make a last stand if they’re to survive.
Review
Zone Troopers has a very unique concept that makes it stand out from other Empire Pictures films of the time. While combining WWII with some supernatural element is nothing new, the idea of adding aliens to the mix was solid. For a first-time director, Danny Bilson does a good job, staging some excellent action sequences and capturing some great angles. As always, Tim Thomerson is excellent playing a gruff, no-nonsense character who lets his gun do the talking. Art LaFleur and Biff Manard make for solid comic relief, having plenty of funny moments without throwing off the tone. Timothy Van Patten, in stark contrast to his character in Class of 1984, works as the plucky, wide-eyed young soldier. His New York accent greatly adds to his cocky attitude, though he can come off as a bit stubborn. Nonetheless, the four men have great chemistry together and feel like fellow soldiers.
The main creature, designed by the late John Carl Buechler, has an impressive design, even without having many expressions. The way it’s designed, the creature looks like something out of the Mos Eisley cantina in Star Wars. There are some more humanoid aliens that show up later on, and though their design is basic, it fits here. Plenty of sci-fi B-movies of the time had human-looking aliens cause of low budgets, and that’s what they went for. The music, composed by long-time composer Richard Band, mixes the standard sci-fi synth score with bombastic 40s era jazz. Admittedly, the mixing of the two genres sometimes doesn’t mix together, often leaning more towards WWII action than science fiction. Those expecting a non-stop barrage of aliens vs nazis will be disappointed, but there’s plenty of entertaining action. Overall, Zone Troopers is a uniquely original offering from the Empire Pictures catalog that’s worth discovering.
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