Attack
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Movie Reviews of Attack
Movie Review: A Neglected Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
Many of the friends with whom I share "Top Ten" lists do not include Attack! among their favorite war films. In fact, few of them have seen it and that's a shame. Perhaps its title (like Zulu's) deters them. Perhaps the cast lacks appeal. Who knows? Perhaps even they don't. In any event, I think this is a brilliant screen adaptation of a play written by Norman Brooks (The Fragile Fox) which focuses on a cowardly officer, Captain Erskine Cooney (Eddie Albert). What is even worse than entrusting him with his command is allowing him to continue with it despite evidence of incompetence. For that, Colonel Bartlett (Lee Marvin) must be blamed. (Of course, he has his self-serving reasons which are revealed in the film.) Brilliantly directed by Robert Aldrich, Albert and the other cast members are first-rate but Jack Palance as Lieutenant Joe Costa is the gravitational center of the compelling narrative. It is almost possible to hear his teeth grinding as he endures Cooney throughout much of the film. Finally....At first glance, the cast consists of an odd combination which includes Palance, Albert, Marvin, Buddy Ebsen (Sergeant Tolliver), Robert Strauss (Private Bernstein), Richard Jaeckel (Private Snowden), and William Smithers (Lieutenant Woodruff)...most of whom (notably Albert and Marvin) portray characters unlike most with which they are usually identified. Obviously, a major war creates odd "trench fellows" but, thanks to the talents brought to bear by Aldrich and his cast, this film has credibility and authenticity throughout its running time of less than two hours. Tension is inevitable in combat. Our emotional involvement is increased and enhanced by curiosity as to how much damage Cooney's inadequacies will eventually cause, and, whether or not his cowardice will be punished. In many instances, screen adaptations of plays seem talky, "staged," confined, etc. Not so with Attack! It can be fully appreciated without knowing that it is based on The Fragile Fox whose clever title is probably inappropriate title for a film.
Those who share my high regard for Attack! are urged to check out Paths of Glory (1957), Breaker Morant (1980), and Gallipoli (1981).
Movie Review: Realistic, Tense, Believable
Summary: 5 Stars
There is absolutely nothing unbelievable in this film. The black and white photography isn't of the fuzzy, "atmospheric", Film Noir variety- it is the stark, crisp b&w of the combat cameraman. Nor are the details distracting- the equipment and procedures are absolutely accurate for the WWII European theater (for a change those are actual Shermans in the background.) You can cut the tension with a knife, both in the combat scenes and the HQ. Plus, these guys are not all scrubbed and clean shaven- they look like they are bone tired and crawling with tiny livestock.It is the acting that sticks in your mind. This was probably the best thing Jack Palance ever did as the experienced Lt. that has to sit by as he watches two platoons (including his own) destroyed by the cowardice and incompetence of the company commander. When Palance tells him that he will shove a grenade down his throat and pull the pin if he doesn't support his assault- you believe every word. Eddie Arnold is totally believable as that incompetent Captain (a rich National Guard officer with a powerful father, political connections, a southern accent, and a drinking problem.) Sometimes art does imitate life. Lee Marvin has a most believable role as the Col. who "looks after" Arnold because he wants his father's political help after the war. Marvin knows that Arnold is gutless and incompetent but he doesn't want him on his own efficient staff, nor does he dare kick him upstairs were his superiors can get a good look at him. So Arnold stays in command of a combat unit.... After all, the chances are 100 to 1 that the unit will ever see real combat again- but then the Germans launch a counter offensive. Oh yeah, Buddy Ebsen does a surprisingly good job as the veteran sharpshooter from the backwoods, but then I don't think anyone turned in a bad performance in this film.
This is the most believable war film in terms of combat and politics that I believe has ever been made.
Movie Review: Brilliant low-budget film ignored for far too long!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am not a fan of war films. However, a friend brought this DVD to my attention, and I was riveted by the performances and the script.
The setting is the Battle of the Bulge. Eddie Albert brilliantly portrays a cowardly captain. Lee Marvin is a colonel who totally ignores the mistakes made by Albert, thereby ignoring the safety of the platoon for which he is ultimately responsible. The platoon, however, is lead by Jack Palance, who takes full responsibility for his men. Palance has been wounded in the battle, and his to lead the men back despite his injury. The worst part is, he has to get them to safety while they have been left completely without protection!
The confrontation between Jack Palance and Eddie Albert is magnificent, exposing the behaviors of some officers during World War II. It's important to remember that this film was created during the Eisenhower era, and not surprisingly, there was no government aid in the making of this film provided. If the film had been a more flag-waving presentation showing bravery on all levels, certainly there would have been a seal of approval and cooperation from the government.
The ending is amazing. Eddie Albert and Jack Palance are wonderful! Attack proves that in the most extreme of circumstances, both the best and the worst of man becomes evident.
Highly recommended!
Movie Review: greatest career movie roles for Palance and Albert
Summary: 5 Stars
Not a perfect film, (I'll rate this a 4.55 star)nor well-known, `Attack' is one of the most gripping WWII movies, for its story of conflict within an American unit, and for the outstanding performances by Jack Palance and Eddie Albert.
'Attack' was not popular because it showed an ugly side of war that no American wanted to acknowldege: the war where your most hated enemy is your own incompetent commanding officer.
Palance plays a tough, brave, sensitive and virile lieutenant; a dedicated American GI who's seen too many good soldiers die needlessly.
Albert, his CO, is a cowardly, weak, and weasely drunkard, the son-of-an-important-guy-back-home. His portrayal was so effective I loathed Albert for decades afterward.
Palance plays his part better than most actors could, with tension and conflict oozing from his pores. Some reviewers mistake Palance's performance of a seething, panting, frustrated man as over-acting. I saw Palance as effectively trying to keep all his conflicted emotions bottled up while being torn apart between his duty as an American officer and his human duty to protect his men from his incompetent CO.
Doesn't matter if it's in black & white,the tanks are wrong, or there are no big Special FX. This film is about the war between Good and Not Good Enough.
Movie Review: Fantastic War Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a fantastic war movie. I wish someone would use the computer graphics to fix up the tanks to make them more authentic and call it "Attack revisted" or something. The actoring is with out par. I really know people with personalities like these.
This movie has so many good points that alot of others lack. Alot of war movies the enemy soldiers don't even bother to hide or duck. Its pretty laughable when that happens. I suppose they are just actors and don't know any better. The enemy are just so stupid they run out of a perfectly good hiding spaces to be shot on cue. I wish movie directors would play paint ball shoot ups and see how after a while people learn how to move around because paint balls hurt. You make use of any cover you have. I dont expect the war movies to teach military tactics or really even want to see them. In this movie its good that the soldiers plan and then worry that they don't have any cover. You would think Band of brothers ( band of actors) who go for a walk in the park while in france would of learned from previous movies.