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Play Dirty [1969] (REGION 1) (NTSC)


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Never heard of it before? Well there is a reason.
Review date: 2008-05-14 Rating: 6 out of 10

Quite in the same line as the Dirty Dozen and Kelly's Heroes I was surprised never to have heard about this film and seeing that it had great reviews I bought a copy.

The movie is entertaining but no masterpiece. The plot is very 1968'ish, with total disregard of actual facts, well except for the Germans vs. Britain bit. In many ways it is a remake of Sea of Sand (which remains the superior movie). We have a long range desert group sent to blow up Rommel's fuel dump. Michael Caine and Nigel Davenport more or less dominate the film and both are good in their roles although you sometimes get the feel of a Spagetti Western in the set up, the dialoge and how everyone is trying to screw everyone else up (hench the title). All in all it is entertaining and gritty at times but I don't find myself compelled to watch it straight again.

As to history the LRDG (Long Range Desert Group) was composed of very spirited volunteers, the original being mostly New Zealanders and certainly not convicts or disposables. In this field the movie shows total disregard and takes an open and wide artistic license. The Dirty Dozen (made in 1967) was closer to its mark but both movies were made when War movies were mostly fictional stories set in World War 2 and not as today when real life stories are prefered and in my opinion real life beats fiction hands down in every way.

So in the end I am not surprised that I only first heard of this movie a few months ago, while being a decent movie and entertaining to watch it fades in comparison with many of its counterparts and for a good reason.

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Reviews


Michael Caine at his best
Review date: 2007-04-16 Rating: 10 out of 10

I suspect the review with the title ' please release me dated 19 April 2003 ' was in relation to the VHS Tape version and not the DVD.

Let me be very Clear - I am writing about the DVD ' Play Dirty REGION 1 NTSC ASIN: B000MTFFRM ' .

DVD Release Date: 24 th of April 2007.

For some unknown reason the outer box shows the Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
but the DVD has the the Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Although it does not mention this on the box this has to be a digital remaster
as you would not believe the Film was released in 1968.

its as crystal clear as you can get .

Its as good as a PAL Version { except the PAL Version may be on the deleted list }

I bought my ' new ' copy from Amazon UK Marketplace for the huge sum of £ 5 { including postage }

Michael Caine at his best

please release me
Review date: 2003-04-19 Rating: 10 out of 10

I study this website praying for this film to be released on DVD I have worn out so many copies of this film on tape.
Why? well to be honest its not the best of war films and Michael Caine plays a part not unlike his character in 'Zulu' and the idea of having convicted criminals sent on a suicide mission in the desert to destroy a fuel dump has been done before (although the 'Dirty Dozen' was never a patch on this copy)
So why do I like this film? well simply because it is so dead pan
from start to finish (especially the finish) Michael Caine is the only one to show emotion and yet his band of thugs just laugh at him every step of the way, he wants to get the job done and they could'nt care less. And thats the whole attitude from the characters in the film to the people making the film everything appears to be so casual and laid back with an 'I dont care attitude' almost as if they are making it up as they go along.
I bet they started filming before they new how it would end and this surprisingly reflects well in the film.
Caine cant be bothered reporting to his superior officers he is to busy playing chess, Nigel Green cant be bothered to report to his superior officer either and finally turns up in front of his desk wearing a cardigan and sandals!
The soldiers cant be bothered with the mission, they cant be bothered unloading the lorries, they cant be bothered burying their dead comrades, they cant be bothered taking prisoners, they cant be bothered if the suns out and they even cant be bothered raising their arms in surrender.

One of the best scenes in the film is when Caine is introduced to his new team of villains and a run down of their crimes is fairly amusing and you actually think from the look of the actors that they are quite capable of commiting these crimes.
If you like Kellys Heroes, Too Late the Hero,The Dirty Dozen and all the other films of this kind then this will be one for you although be warned its no 'Private Ryan'.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Patrick Jordan
Harry Andrews
Michael Caine
Nigel Davenport
Nigel Green

Creators:
Michael Caine (Primary Contributor)
Nigel Davenport (Primary Contributor)
Edward Scaife (Cinematographer)
Alan Osbiston (Editor)
Jack Slade (Editor)
Harry Saltzman (Producer)
George Marton (Writer)
Lotte Colin (Writer)
Melvyn Bragg (Writer)

Director(s):

Recording label: MGM
Manufacturer: MGM
EAN: 0027616073914
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Colour, DVD-Video, NTSC,
Release date: 2007-04-24
Universal product code (UPC): 027616073914
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Region code: 1
Running time: 118 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1969
Language: Arabic (Original Language)
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: German (Original Language)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Subtitled)

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