Other reviewers have noted some similarities of "Play Dirty" with the earlier blockbuster film, "The Dirty Dozen." I can see only two. Both films have military convicts make up a core group of combatants, and both have the word "dirty" in their titles. But for those, the two movies are vastly different. Perhaps the producers of this movie that premiered in January 1969 wanted to capitalize on the success of "The Dirty Dozen" that opened in June 1967. But the title for "Play Dirty" aptly fits the plot and script of this film.
Most of the WW II movies I've seen about action in North Africa are of a gritty nature. The European theater obviously lent itself to war romances, dramas, espionage and thrillers as well as combat action. Not so, the war in Africa. It was gritty, with few places or instances or Allied nations with which to incorporate wartime diversions of love and drama. And, this film must be among the grittiest.
Other reviewers describe the special unit that Michael Caine's character, Capt. Douglas, gets assigned to for a special mission. Of course, there were various small special operations by the Allies during the war. But did they have renegade bandit groups such as portrayed in this film that operated mostly on their own? Or any units made up of convicts? Given the total lack of discipline even among the officers here, I doubt very much that such a unit existed in the British Army. The special operations groups and others didn't use convicts and were highly disciplined.
When this film came out, Caine had been a movie actor nearly 19 years. But it was only in the past four that he had starring roles. For the first 14 years of his career, he was in 40 films and played mostly bit parts, including many uncredited ones. But, his supporting role in the 1964 blockbuster, "Zulu," catapulted him in his film career. He soon was starring or co-starring in a variety of films including dramas, mysteries, comedies, romances and thrillers.
This film is interesting in that Caine shares the spotlight with Nigel Davenport as Capt. Cyril Leech. In a few of his earlier films, Caine had bit parts in which Davenport had supporting roles. Caine and Davenport, and their relationship, are the substance of this movie. It's an interesting film with considerable desert action. The ending may surprise many, but I think it's perfect for this film.
This is a good movie that should be in any serious war film collection. Here are some favorite lines. For more dialog, see the Quotes section under this IMDb Web page of the movie.
Brig. Blore, "Modern warfare has nothing whatsoever to do with the activities of Alexander the Great or Hannibal."
Col. Masters, "It appears the Mujabra tribesmen have learned how to use the Brownie cameras I have supplied them with."
Col. Masters, "War is a criminal enterprise. I fight it with criminals."
Col. Masters, "Two men are going to stop Rommel. One of them is Adolf Hitler who cannot give him enough fuel, and the other is me, who's going to blow up the little he has."
Brig. Blore, revising for himself what Col. Masters had said earlier, "Rommel's going to be defeated by two men. Adolph Hitler who can't give him enough fuel, and me, because I'm gonna blow up what little he has."
Brig. Blore, "Oh, by the way, I'm sending a decoy group ahead of you. You know Masters' bunch?" Maj. Alan Watkin, "Not those gangsters, sir?" Brig. Blore, "Yes. They start off a day before you. Same route, same orders. If there's any trouble, let them catch it."
Capt. Douglas, pointing to figures on a wall map, "Are those Rommel's positions, sir?" Col. Master, "No. Those are the positions of the Carthaginians in the year 215 B.C."
Capt. Cyril Leech, "What's all this about?" Col. Master, "Brig. Blore is not very pleased with our record. He insists. We'll have to take him." Capt. Leech, "I'll take him." Col. Master, "If he doesn't come back alive, we're out of business." Capt. Leech, "Hmph. You're out of business." Col. Master, "You get well paid for these trips, don't you, Leech?" Capt. Leech, "Not really." Col. Master, "I'll give you a bonus if you get him back." Capt. Leech, "How much?" Col. Master, "Dead, nothing. Alive, 2,000 pounds." Capt. Leech, chuckling, "You just bought yourself an Englishman." Capt. Douglas, turning off jeep ignition after the driver turns left, "I said we go to the right." Capt. Leech, from the back seat, "That road was mined by the Italians a week ago. They don't put it all on the map." Capt. Douglas, "You play dirty, Capt. Leech." Capt. Leech, "The way to survive here is to watch, listen and say nothing. I play safe."
Capt. Leech, "You want to forget the noble sentiments if you want to live." Capt. Douglas, "I'll manage." Capt. Leech, "Funny thing, survival."
Most of the WW II movies I've seen about action in North Africa are of a gritty nature. The European theater obviously lent itself to war romances, dramas, espionage and thrillers as well as combat action. Not so, the war in Africa. It was gritty, with few places or instances or Allied nations with which to incorporate wartime diversions of love and drama. And, this film must be among the grittiest.
Other reviewers describe the special unit that Michael Caine's character, Capt. Douglas, gets assigned to for a special mission. Of course, there were various small special operations by the Allies during the war. But did they have renegade bandit groups such as portrayed in this film that operated mostly on their own? Or any units made up of convicts? Given the total lack of discipline even among the officers here, I doubt very much that such a unit existed in the British Army. The special operations groups and others didn't use convicts and were highly disciplined.
When this film came out, Caine had been a movie actor nearly 19 years. But it was only in the past four that he had starring roles. For the first 14 years of his career, he was in 40 films and played mostly bit parts, including many uncredited ones. But, his supporting role in the 1964 blockbuster, "Zulu," catapulted him in his film career. He soon was starring or co-starring in a variety of films including dramas, mysteries, comedies, romances and thrillers.
This film is interesting in that Caine shares the spotlight with Nigel Davenport as Capt. Cyril Leech. In a few of his earlier films, Caine had bit parts in which Davenport had supporting roles. Caine and Davenport, and their relationship, are the substance of this movie. It's an interesting film with considerable desert action. The ending may surprise many, but I think it's perfect for this film.
This is a good movie that should be in any serious war film collection. Here are some favorite lines. For more dialog, see the Quotes section under this IMDb Web page of the movie.
Brig. Blore, "Modern warfare has nothing whatsoever to do with the activities of Alexander the Great or Hannibal."
Col. Masters, "It appears the Mujabra tribesmen have learned how to use the Brownie cameras I have supplied them with."
Col. Masters, "War is a criminal enterprise. I fight it with criminals."
Col. Masters, "Two men are going to stop Rommel. One of them is Adolf Hitler who cannot give him enough fuel, and the other is me, who's going to blow up the little he has."
Brig. Blore, revising for himself what Col. Masters had said earlier, "Rommel's going to be defeated by two men. Adolph Hitler who can't give him enough fuel, and me, because I'm gonna blow up what little he has."
Brig. Blore, "Oh, by the way, I'm sending a decoy group ahead of you. You know Masters' bunch?" Maj. Alan Watkin, "Not those gangsters, sir?" Brig. Blore, "Yes. They start off a day before you. Same route, same orders. If there's any trouble, let them catch it."
Capt. Douglas, pointing to figures on a wall map, "Are those Rommel's positions, sir?" Col. Master, "No. Those are the positions of the Carthaginians in the year 215 B.C."
Capt. Cyril Leech, "What's all this about?" Col. Master, "Brig. Blore is not very pleased with our record. He insists. We'll have to take him." Capt. Leech, "I'll take him." Col. Master, "If he doesn't come back alive, we're out of business." Capt. Leech, "Hmph. You're out of business." Col. Master, "You get well paid for these trips, don't you, Leech?" Capt. Leech, "Not really." Col. Master, "I'll give you a bonus if you get him back." Capt. Leech, "How much?" Col. Master, "Dead, nothing. Alive, 2,000 pounds." Capt. Leech, chuckling, "You just bought yourself an Englishman." Capt. Douglas, turning off jeep ignition after the driver turns left, "I said we go to the right." Capt. Leech, from the back seat, "That road was mined by the Italians a week ago. They don't put it all on the map." Capt. Douglas, "You play dirty, Capt. Leech." Capt. Leech, "The way to survive here is to watch, listen and say nothing. I play safe."
Capt. Leech, "You want to forget the noble sentiments if you want to live." Capt. Douglas, "I'll manage." Capt. Leech, "Funny thing, survival."