MovieChat Forums > Attack (1956) Discussion > Eddie Albert's Performance

Eddie Albert's Performance

posted 19 years ago by 80334080
23 replies | jump to latest

I just saw this on DVD and I have to say that much as I admire Eddie Albert as an actor I found his performance here to be way over the top. Admittedly, the job of portraying a pschotic and scared company commander is not easy but this was embarrassing! I'm also struck by the changes in attitudes toward war and the military in the 75 years between 1930 and now. There have been periods of anti-war at one extreme (e.g. All Quiet on the Western Front) and WWII recruiting style at the other (e.g. Guadalcanal Diary and most of John Wayne's war movies). In between there is the mixed type with most of the characters admirable with one bad apple (e.g. Captain Queeg in the Caine Mutiny). Attack is of course in this latter catagory- but it certainly won't do much for recruiting. Anyway Jack Palance is good enough in his role to make up for any overacting by Eddie !!

[–] Prismark10 9 years ago

I think Albert was a little over the top but I think the fault lies with the script and its stage origins.

Its that man again!!

[–] davidwile 8 years ago

Hey 80224080,

With respect to your right to your opinion concerning Albert's performance, I find I disagree with you. This film was more of what I consider an ensemble film, and I think all of the actors did an excellent job. Because of the antagonist/protagonist nature of their roles, Palance and Albert would probably be seen by most as having the most gripping roles, and I think they were both absolutely convincing.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile