Attack! (1956)
MEDIUM LEVEL VIOLENCE
| Director: | Robert Aldrich |
| Actors: | Jack Palance, Lee Marvin, Richard Jaeckel, Eddie Albert, Buddy Ebsen, Peter Van Eyck, Robert Strauss, Steven Geray, Jon Shepodd, Jimmy Goodwin |
Captain Cooney (Eddie Albert) is a bombastic, but incompetent, military leader who jeopardizes the lives of the men under his control. His lapdog of a colonel (Lee Marvin) tries his best to sweep Cooney's errors under the rug, but soon the dastardly leaders have a problem on their hands in the form of Lt. Costa (Jack Palance). Costa swears that Cooney is a dead man if the men are sent on another poorly-run, deadly mission. When Cooney puts Costa and his men in another tight spot on the Belgian front, Costa -- who suffers a smashed arm in the skirmish -- sets out to keep his word. A brutal portrait of war, a la PATHS OF GLORY. Based on Norman Brooks' play, THE FRAGILE FOX.
| Status: | Normal |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 109mins |
| Origin: | UNITED STATES |
| Aspect Ratio: |
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Member Reviews (6)
6 Member
Reviews
Simon
says
Not in the original aspect ratio of its theatrical release. Yet again, MGM release a good film to DVD in cropped "pan
Andy O.
says
Extra tough. old-school B&W fifties war movie about courage and cowardice under fire, the impossibility of working under incompetent, often corrupt leadership. Made less than 10 years after the war it depicts, this has a hard edge few war movies have, even if they be noisier or more overtly violent. Outstanding performance from Jack Palance (absolutely chilling in the closing scenes) and a cynical walk-though from Lee Marvin. And you have to keep reminding yourself that Eddie Albert is an actor playing the part of the incompetent, dithering, cowardly commander...or you'd want to go out and shoot him. Outstanding performances all round, even the bit players. Definitely a must-see.
Nigel W.
says
A war movie with a serious theme about the betrayal of men in battle by their officers. Based on a play it comes across a bit a too talky and the battle sequences do not have the impact they should (compare with All Quiet on the Western Front).
Ron
says
This would be the worst war movie that we have seen, all big name actors but no creditibility to the plot, topped off when the officers finally turn on their own captain.
Ian K.
says
A different war movie but pretty good.
Denise Cooper
says
Old B&W movie - but I have seen worse.