6:00 p.m.	Attack! Robert Aldrich (U.S., 1956)

In celebration of his new book, Have You Seen…? A Personal Introduction to 1,000 Films, David Thomson will introduce tonight’s Aldrich films. Thomson’s previous books include The New Biographical Dictionary of Film and The Whole Equation: A History of Hollywood. Have You Seen…? is on sale at the screening and in the Museum Store. Purchase a copy at the screening and receive the 10 percent members’ discount!

With Attack!, Aldrich looks straight down the barrel at betrayal, then pulls the trigger. This controversial war film (it was despised by the DOD) tracks Jack Palance as Lt. Joe Costa, a World War II platoon leader trying to keep the last G.I.s in his ragtag command alive. Between the German soldiers hunkered down in pillboxes and craven Capt. Cooney (played against type by Eddie Albert) cowering back at the company base camp, the enemy is never in short supply. But in the sights of Aldrich’s full-metal film, the danger lies in the cowardly command of Cooney. Willing to sacrifice soldiers to hide his own blunders, Cooney finds himself on the fighting side of Costa: “I’ll shove this grenade down your throat and pull the pin,” rants our enraged first louie. Aldrich loads his film with a combustible critique of reckless command, and Palance’s charged portrayal provides the slow fuse leading to its inevitable explosion. Beautifully crafted, smartly penned, and utterly enthralling, Attack! was never offensive.

—Steve Seid

• Written by James Poe, based on the play Fragile by Norman Brooks. Photographed by Joseph Biroc. With Jack Palance, Lee Marvin, Buddy Ebsen, Eddie Albert. (107 mins, B&W, 35mm, ’Scope, From MGM)