Attack (1956): Cast & Plot
Attack is a 1956 war drama directed by Robert Aldrich, starring Eddie Albert as Erskine Cooney, Jack Palance and William Smithers. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 47m (107 min)
- Director
- Robert Aldrich
- Original language
-
English - After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Attack About?
The premise of Attack without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Set amid the brutal Battle of the Bulge in 1944, the story follows Lieutenant Costa, an infantry company officer tasked with establishing artillery observation posts in a key sector. As he grapples with the chaotic front, Costa begins to question Captain Cooney’s leadership, fearing reckless decisions could endanger his men.
Attack Themes & Keywords
· 47 tags- cold weather
- questioning authority
- year 1944
- shooting a dead body
- tank
- 1940s
- drunkenness
- u.s. army
- father son relationship
- friendly fire
- military
- world war two in europe
+35 more Show fewer
- shot to death
- american
- hole in a wall
- military officer
- machine gun
- confession
- belgium
- german
- cellar
- nazi
- combat
- artillery
- national guard
- broken leg
- bazooka
- panic attack
- incompetence
- panzer
- vow of revenge
- prayer
- ss officer
- war ruins
- platoon
- poker
- mortar shell
- mortar
- domineering father
- u.s. military
- one word title
- soldier
- cowardice
- battle of the bulge
- world war two
- independent film
- based on play
Attack Cast & Characters
Eddie Albert leads the cast as Erskine Cooney, with Jack Palance as Joe Costa and William Smithers as Harry Woodruff. Directed by Robert Aldrich; 17 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Robert Aldrich
-
Eddie Albert as Erskine Cooney -
Jack Palance as Joe Costa - William Smithers as Harry Woodruff
-
Lee Marvin as Clyde Bartlett
Also Starring in Attack
· 13 more- Buddy Ebsen Tolliver
- Leonard Bremen Mess Sergeant
- Robert Strauss Bernstein
- Richard Jaeckel Snowden
- Jim Goodwin Ricks
- Jon Shepodd John Jackson
- Steven Geray Otto
- Strother Martin Ingersol
- Peter van Eyck SS Captain
- Louis Mercier Brouise
- Bing Russell Medic
- Jud Taylor Jacob R. Abramowitz
- Mike Ragan GI
More from Robert Aldrich
More films directed by Robert Aldrich, best-rated first: What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, Hustle, The Longest Yard and The Frisco Kid.
Attack Plot Summary
What happens in Attack from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Europe 1944 unfolds around Fox Company, a US Army National Guard infantry unit nicknamed “Fragile Fox,” stationed in a Belgian town near the front. Captain Erskine Cooney, Eddie Albert, governs with a knack for red tape more than battlefield courage, a trait that quietly tilts the balance between duty and danger. When Lieutenant Joe Costa, Jack Palance, sends a squad to take a pillbox, Cooney agrees to provide covering fire but freezes at the critical moment, sealing the fate of Costa’s squad and setting off a chain of consequences that ripple through the company. In the aftermath, Lt. Ned Lathrop’s death—off-screen, during a rescue attempt—hangs over the unit like a cold reminder of what could have been prevented.
Full summary
The whole story of Attack, scene by scene
Attack Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Attack.
How Well Do You Know Attack?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
Which officer is nicknamed "Fragile Fox" in the film?
Attack Also Known As
18 alternative titles, including “Attack!” and “Támadás!”.
- Also known as
-
- Attack!
- Támadás!
- "Attack!"
- Prima linea
- Ardennen 1944
- Angreb
- Attaque !
- Támadás
- Ataque
- Morte Sem Glória
- 공격
- 攻击
+6 more Show fewer
- Атака
- Útok!
- Atak
- 攻撃
- Atac
- Helvetti 1944
Seen Attack?
Movies Like Attack
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Battle of the Bulge, Battleground and Attack and Retreat.
Attack FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Attack, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Attack?
Attack runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).
When was Attack released?
Attack was released on September 19, 1956.
Who directed Attack?
Attack was directed by Robert Aldrich.
More films by Robert Aldrich Who is in the cast of Attack?
Attack stars Eddie Albert as Erskine Cooney, Jack Palance as Joe Costa and William Smithers as Harry Woodruff, among 17 credited actors.
Does Attack have a post-credit scene?
No. Attack has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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