Attack

Rating:
Summary: A Neglected Classic
Review: 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).

Rating:
Summary: A Powerful Cast in a Potent War Drama
Review: The screenplay for this film was so gritty that the Department of Defense withdrew its production support. Director Robert Aldrich was left to pull military equipment from studio warehouses and the back lot vehicle boneyard. No matter, ATTACK, which was adapted from the stage, constitutes the guts and glory adventures of an infantry platoon during the Battle of the Bulge. Jack Palance stars as the units' respected platoon leader who not only battles the Germans, but also the illogical and destructive orders of his psycotic company commander, played by Eddie Albert. Topping off this cast is the late Lee Marvin as this National Guard battalion's commander. The best and the worst of human nature is portrayed in this film. Action packed scenes are complimented by excellent human drama scenes. ATTACK dared to show the darker side of human behavior in a film where the enemy was not necessarily the greatest threat. Add this film to your war film collection.

Rating:
Summary: Realistic, Tense, Believable
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Realistic, Tense, Believable
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: One Of the Best
Review: This film is a real gut-churner. You can almost feel the hatred that Palance's "Lt. Joe Costa" has for his "wanna-be" CO, Eddie Albert. Once you get past the U.S. Stewart Tanks subbing for German Tigers, the flic can really come to life. Actual WW-II vets, Jack Palance as Lt. Joe Costa and Eddie Albert as the cowerdly C.O. Erskine Cooney, really add to the realism. William Smithers (Lt. Harry Woodruff) actually referred to his part in this movie later in a TV movie. He referred to a Lt. Joe Costa being crushed by a Tiger Tank while he was in the war. Can't remember which movie, but this flic must have left an impression on him.
Based on the short story, "Fragile Fox," this must have been a memory for someone. 5 stars.


Rating:
Summary: Fine War Drama--Unfortunate Title.
Review: This film is almost 50 years old, yet it still packs a wallop for viewers. I called the title "unfortunate", because it implies that this is an action movie--of course, it is much more. There are certainly battle scenes, and they are grim and realistic--no John Wayne heroics here. At the same time, the opening credits indicate that "Attack" is based on a play--so much of the film is dedicated to character development by some excellent actors.

The Nazis are the enemy, but these American GIs have another enemy within their midst--a cowardly, villainous commanding officer who has a well-deserved reputation for letting his men down. Some good soldiers lose their lives because of this officer's incompetence and indecision. In this role, Eddie Albert gives a wonderful, unforgettable performance. Later in his career, "Green Acres" may have given him more financial security, but it was obviously a waste of a huge talent.

As the brave GI who must report to a drunken coward, Jack Palance is rivetting in one of his best performances--his confrontation scenes with Eddie Albert really sizzle with animosity. Messrs. Palance and Albert are well supported by great character actors like Robert Strauss, Richard Jaeckel and the recently-departed Buddy Ebsen. Eddie Albert's commanding officer is played by Lee Marvin--and with Lee Marvin, "commanding" is the word ! Unfortunately, the Marvin character is just as corrupt, and self-serving in his own way as the man he supervises.

As I said earlier, this is a war movie that makes you think--it is not intended to merely entertain. I would not call it anti-war--there is no question that the Nazis here, mostly SS, are evil. To emphasize the point, we learn that Robert Strauss' character is Jewish, and how he would be treated if captured by the SS. Most of the American soldiers are depicted as brave, honest, dedicated men, laying their lives on the line every day. Nevertheless--as "Attack" shows us-- sometimes people are put in positions of authority for reasons that have nothing to do with merit--whether it is the military, in business, government or other fields of endeavour. In this case, of course, it is a problem that costs lives. It is a powerful message.

The DVD is nice--clear B & W picture--the sound is mono--the price reasonable.

Bottom line--a fine, thinking person's World War II drama, that deserves a higher profile.

Rating:
Summary: Attack gets it Done!
Review: This old warhorse from the 1950s is worthy of better reknown. Some good actors are in it who would become standards later on. The movie does not provide a flattering portrait of the US Army toward the end of the war, and perhaps this is why it has not enjoyed the popularity of other war films of this period. Lee Marvin plays an excellent, corrupt good old time boy in charge of a crumbling US infantry battalion. Eddie Albert is great as the cowardly company commander, while Jack Polance is almost demonic, yet compelling. The scene where Polance gets run over by the German tank is perhaps excessive, but its horror shows that this is a movie not affraid to show the true nature of war. It certainly marks a departure from most post war movies of this period. At the same time the movie is not excessively violent or bloody. The equipment lacks authencity in that US stuff is pressed into German service, but at least some attempts are made to modify its appearence. The movie almost seems like a play at times, and I wonder if aspects of it were not in this format beforehand. The music is also very good and provides for a great atmosphere. A good offbeat GI movie that deserves better recognition and a DVD release.