Overview
A gripping tale of betrayal and revenge unfolds as soldiers face the chaos of war.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- cynical
- tense
- harrowing
- classic war movie night
- serious film discussion
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Robert Aldrich's film as a sharp, cynical, and morally uncompromising World War II drama that punctures the mythology of military glory.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The company's mission is repeatedly shaped by poor leadership, political connections, and the consequences of abandoning soldiers.
Costa openly doubts Cooney's competence, while Cooney's command decisions drive the company's moral and tactical crisis.
The film's black-and-white presentation reinforces its stripped-down, unsentimental account of combat.
Costa's obligation to obey orders clashes with his conviction that Cooney's leadership endangers the company.
Films like Attack, and why
The Steel Helmet
shared anti-glory war perspective, moral conflict, and tense military command drama
Paths of Glory
shared cynical examination of military leadership, institutional failure, and combat ethics
The Big Red One
shared World War II setting, battlefield pressure, and morally compromised command structure
Movie Details
- Director
- Robert Aldrich
- Release Date
- 1956-09-19
- Runtime
- 107 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (146)
Cast
- Jack Palance
- Eddie Albert
- Lee Marvin
- Robert Strauss
- Richard Jaeckel
- Buddy Ebsen
- Strother Martin
- Jon Shepodd
- Peter van Eyck
- Steven Geray
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Eternal Family, ScreenPix Apple TV channel, ScreenPix Amazon Channel , Artiflix
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Attack about?
- A fiercely cynical World War II command drama pits a principled lieutenant against an incompetent officer elevated by connections.
- What is Attack like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Attack as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Attack violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Attack as moderate.
- What did critics think of Attack?
- Critics broadly regard Robert Aldrich's film as a sharp, cynical, and morally uncompromising World War II drama that punctures the mythology of military glory.
- Which films are like Attack?
- Films with a similar feel include The Steel Helmet, Paths of Glory, and The Big Red One.
- How long is Attack?
- Attack runs 107 minutes.
- Where can I watch Attack?
- In United States, Attack streams on Eternal Family, ScreenPix Apple TV channel, ScreenPix Amazon Channel , Artiflix.
