MovieChat Forums > Play Dirty (1969) Discussion > Excellent + Unique British Desert WWII m...

Excellent + Unique British Desert WWII movie..

posted 18 years ago by GregP89
8 replies | jump to latest

An Excellent & Unique British Desert WWII movie..which I had not seen since
having watched it as a kid on Los Angeles late night T.V. in the early 70's.
But having got a ebay CD recently, it was quite refreshing to see it again.
The final 'friendly fire' ending is without question an anti-war statement
in much the same way as certain scenes from 'Raid on Rommel' with Richard Burton, or 'Charge of the Light Brigade'(1968). That is makes this film unique
apart from the engineering the Jeep up the Mountain scenes. Still, masterful
actor Michael Caine, could have used more pizzazz or excitement in his role, but
again, he was reluctant to lead or partake in such a Win-Los Mission to begin with, so I guess his acting performance was brilliant.

[–] rac701 15 years ago

As far as I know, this is the only other WWII SAS/LRDG-type movie besides "Sea of Sand" (1958) (titled "Desert Patrol" in the U.S., released in 1961).

[–] The_Khazi 15 years ago

Try "Tobruk"(1967)which has L.R.D.G. officer(Rock Hudson)leading a group of Royal Marine Commandos and a contingent of S.I.G.(German jews fighting with the British.)"Sea of Sand" is a cracking little film which is almost unknown now.It`s occasionally shown on UK channel FilmFour and available on UK r2 dvd.

"Play Dirty" has it`s merits but Caine`s strangely subdued performance and the laborious jeep sequence,which should have been trimmed,are a slight detriment.I remember thinking about the ending for many days afterwards and if you liked that have a look at another Caine pic: "Too Late The Hero".Caine is far better in that one and probably one of his best roles.

[–] paimanish 14 years ago

Downloaded 'Sea of Sand' last week (i had first seen it years ago) and Tobruk & Too late The Hero this week. Cant wait to see them over the weekend

[–] mike-848 14 years ago

Been looking for Tobruk and Sea of Sand to be released on R1 DVD for years now. May I ask how you downloaded it?

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] mike-848 14 years ago

Thanks!

[–] Ernie Pyle 14 years ago

I'd like to see the British (and only the British) film The Phantom Major (aka Who Dares Wins) by Virginia Cowles even if it has to be a mini-series to leave nothing out. It's a fascinating book about the formation of the SAS by David Stirling. I've read it twice, and even fiction doesn't get any better than this.

[–] Jones70 (6195) 3 years ago

I agree, I thought this was great.