Play Dirty [VHS] [1969]

I have to admit, my heart sank when I saw it had been co-written by Melvyn Bragg. I knew what I was in for: late 1960s fashionable rubbish, featuring cynical betrayal and a German nurse who narrowly avoids being raped only to be murdered instead. All the characters, with the possible exception of Douglas (Michael Caine) are deeply unpleasant, so there's no-one to root for, unlike in 'The Dirty Dozen', where we hope Jim Brown's character will escape. Nigel Davenport was at least a good actor, however, so that's a plus, but Nigel Green and Harry Andrews are underused.Best stick to 'Ice Cold In Alex' and 'Sea Of Sand'.

As anyone knows who's seen 'Tobruk' (as I did last week) or 'Raid on Rommel' (as I did a few months ago), the way to defeat Rommel in North Africa is to disrupt his supply lines - particularly of fuel. That forms the premise of this film too, but it is superior to both. Michael Caine is the British Captain who is obviously expecting not to see any combat in his behind-the-lines desk job, but who is brought in (for fairly flimsy reasons) to command a ragtag bunch of criminals of various nationalities whose special underworld skills make them ideal for carrying out secret raids in to enemy territory. Their animosity towards Caine as they make their way through the desert forms the meat of the film, with Caine trying to treat them like regular soldiers, and gradually showing his mettle and just about earning their respect. The group, other than Caine, show themselves to be a pretty amoral bunch - and not just because the means justify the end.The usual Desert War suspects of minefields and enemy patrols are present and correct, but much of the middle section of the film is as much about battling the desert itself as the German army. The ending is excellent, but I'll say no more for fear of spoiling it.The film is interestingly directed for a war movie, and in my view Caine acts everyone else off the screen. Well worth seeing.

One of the best war movies. Ever. At times darkly humourous, heroic and deeply cynical. Michael Caine at the peak of his career with a strong support cast of 60's regulars. Decent blu ray transfer maintaining that 60's looking film stock look. A movie that should appear on top x war movies of all time lists more often.

Play Dirty is a great war film, and the Blu-ray transfer is very good. And i have read some negative reviews about the DVD release and from what i read it wasn't good. Now 101 films are not the best at releasing their films with bonus features, and yet again there are none with this release, plus you don't get any subtitles. But the sound is in 2.0 DTS MA Mono which does sound good. Aspect ratio 2.35:1.

The gang's all here! Michael Caine plays a callow WWII army captain seconded to a raid on a German fuel dump far behind their lines on the strength of snaps taken by tribesmen on their way through Libya. Nigel Green is the major in charge of a rough, tough bunch of criminals who use their talents to further British Intelligence on Rommel's Afrika Korps. Harry Andrews is the ruthless Colonel who threatens Green with disbanding his unit unless they achieve results. In their guise as Italians Caine, Green and Co sally into the desert on a mission that goes awry as soon as they make contact with local German-friendly tribesmen...

This Blu-ray has the best picture quality of this film I have seen. Avoid all public domain DVD releases of this title and buy this Blu-ray instead. If you like this film I`m sure you`ll be impressed with the quality. I would have given this 5 stars if some extras had been included.

This is a competent "men-on-a-mission" movie where Michael caine and a band of misfits (of course!) venture behind enemy lines. There are no real surprises to be had here, but there's a certain friction between Caine and the rest of his men that makes the movie worthwhile to watch nevertheless.Made in the late 60's, the movie is filled with the disillusionment with all things military that, with few exceptions, filled all films about war and the military in that era.This is a good film for lazy sundays after a night out, provided the sound isn't on too loud. ;)

.... as my grandad would have said. Atmospheric, informative and a range of robust and exhilarating performances from assured actors.