Zone Troopers (1985) – Nostalgia Central

In spite of the fact that America had very little to do with the defeat of Germany in World War II, Hollywood persists in portraying them as the heroes who won the day when the rest of the Allies were about to lie down and die.

Such is the case with Zone Troopers, an exciting World War II adventure film with a difference.

The difference is that the small squad of American soldiers, lost behind Nazi lines in northern Europe in the summer of 1943, stumble across what they first believe is a German secret weapon.

While under attack, they are also aided by an unseen person, which they find rather unusual, to say the least.

But further investigation proves that the secret weapon they found is, in fact, the wreckage of an immense spaceship, and the unseen person who came to their aid was an intergalactic space traveller that they nickname “Bug” (William Paulson).

Deep in the forests of Belgium, three armies clash: the Americans, Germans, and Interplanetary, as the Americans and the stranded alien make desperate bids to escape.

The team is a combination of colourful characters: Joey ( Timothy Van Patten) is a young man whose interest in space and alien encounters drives the rest crazy; Mittens (Art LaFleur) only believes in what he can see and touch; Dolan (Biff Manard), is a war correspondent who is writing a story about the ‘Iron Sarge’ (Tim Thomerson), whose death has been reported a half dozen times.

On patrol behind enemy lines, they find a crashed spacecraft and hook up with a fuzzy alien. The speculation starts.

This is about the extent of the “zone trooper” involvement. It is so little that the title is misleading until the end, when there is an explanation of sorts.

Zone Troopers not only omits details about where and when the story takes place, but also denies any information about the aliens’ identity or background.

It does, however, feature good acting, beautiful scenery, a touch of humour here and there and does not have the appearance of a low-budget film.

The Sarge (Sgt. Patrick Stone)
Tim Thomerson
Pvt. Joey Verona
Timothy Van Patten
Cpl. George “Mittens” Mittinsky
Art LaFleur
Charley Dolan
Biff Manard
The Alien (“Bug”)
William Paulson
Col. Manheim
Peter Boom
SS Sgt. Zeller
Max Turilli
The Radioman
Eugene Brell
The Lieutenant
John Leamer
The Medic
Bruce McGuire
The Fuhrer
Alviero Martini
SS Motorcyclist
Mike Manderville
SS Radioman
Achille Brugnini
SS Sentry
Ole Jorgensen
SS Corporal
Peter Hintz
Zone Trooper Captain
Joshua McDonald
Dream Girl
Anita Zagaria

Director
Danny Bilson