The Big Red One

The Big Red One is a World War II war film starring Lee Marvin and Mark Hamill, released in 1980. It was written and directed by Samuel Fuller.

Fuller was a World War II veteran and served with the 1st Infantry Division, which is nicknamed The Big Red One for the red numeralon the Divisions shoulder patch. He received the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart during his service. He was present at the liberation of the Falkenau concentration camp.The film begins in black and white in November 1918 at the end of World War I. A private Marvin, using his trench knife, kills a German soldier who was approaching with his arms raised and muttering in German. When he returns to his companys headquarters, the private is told that the wars been over for four hours. The 1st Division patch is shown in color. ........

Source: Wikipedia