Review of Attack

Introduction

Attack!, directed by Robert Aldritch, is a film which deserves much more notice that it gets. The movie centers around a small squad of Soldiers (lead by Jack Palance) as they travel through Europe in 1944 under the command of a cowardly Captain Cooney (Eddie Albert).

The film is one of the first to depict the army as "real" and can almost be seen as a precursor to films like Saving Private Ryan.

The acting is superb and the cinematography refreshingly uncluttered.

Video

The video quality is excellent. The black and white, full-frame transfer is refreshingly free from dust and sctratches. Contrast is high and not excessive although there is some evidence of edge and sharpness enhencement in places. The bitrate is high throughout, indicating a lowish compression (possible due to the simple soundtrack) which adds to a great picture for a 1956 film.

Audio

The soundtrack is a simple mono affair but is still pretty good. All dialogue is clear and nicely resolved and is never swamped by the (at times odd) incidental music.

There is a good choice of languages too.

Features

They have chucked the original theatrical trailer in (not sure this can be called a feature these days!)

Conclusion

Yes it`s in Black and White and only in Mono, but this is a powerful drama which is well worth watching. This was one of the first war movies not to be a simple piece of propaganda.

Recomended. Much better that the usual BBC 2 sunday matinee things :)