Attack

During World War II, a cowardly and incompetent American lieutenant, Cooney, leads his platoon through France. His relentless pursuit of self-preservation and ambition leads to disastrous consequences for his men, culminating in a brutal confrontation with a German counterattack where his true nature is exposed. The film explores themes of cowardice, ambition, and the moral compromises made in the crucible of war.

Attack received mixed to positive reviews upon its release, with many critics praising its gritty realism and intense performances, particularly from Jack Palance and Lee Marvin. However, some found its depiction of American soldiers and its anti-war sentiment to be unusually bleak for the era. Over time, it has been recognized as a powerful and unflinching portrayal of the psychological toll of combat and a notable entry in the war film genre.

• Praised for its brutal honesty and unflinching portrayal of war's psychological impact.
• Jack Palance delivers a memorable performance as the conflicted soldier.
• Some found the film's dark tone and cynical outlook challenging for its time.

Google audience: Audience reception data for Google reviews is not readily available for this film.

The film was notable for its harsh depiction of American soldiers and its anti-war themes, which was somewhat unusual for American cinema at the time, especially during the Cold War era.