DVD Corner

Play Dirty Blu-ray Review

“Play Dirty” doesn’t play it safe.

Set during WWII, “Play Dirty” begins with perennial screw-up Colonel Masters concocting a plan to destroy a Nazi fuel depot. Captain Douglas of British Petroleum is called in to lead the unit on this potentially dangerous mission. Aiding Douglas on this mission are 7 other convicts including the gruff Captain Cyril Leech. As this rag-tag group traverses the Sahara Desert, there’s some inner turmoil (including a power struggle between Leech and Douglas) along with numerous complications including enemy forces, mines, a ruse, and an order change that endangers the unit’s lives. 

1969’s “Play Dirty” was one of the many “The Dirty Dozen” clones that came out, but this forgotten Andre De Toth directed film is a gritty, intense, and dark look at the chaos of war. Moreover, it’s a rare feature that takes place during the North Africa Campaign.

While some viewers may be put off by the dark series of events and some rather stomach churning content (including a scene with a German nurse), the Melvyn Bragg and Lotte Colin scripted “Play Dirty” is a gutsy men on a mission war movie based on an idea by George Marton. It doesn’t unfold like you think it will and plays dirty with your emotions (pun intended). Obviously, this subgenre of film frequently has movies with missions that never go as planned, but this one doesn’t succumb to happy endings and plays with conventions and digs deeper into the heartbreaking, hopeless, and confounding sides of war and the unpleasant side of mankind. It’s a movie that doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable situations and truths which is deeply respectable. 

Given that this is a war movie, there’s a great deal of action which is nothing short of intense. Viewers can expect stunning cinematography by Edward Scaife mixed with pulse-pounding action involving exploding trucks, exploding oil, trucks being pulled up a mountain and so much more. 

Michael Caine is the big name here and the esteemed actor does a fine job as Captain Douglas. His scenes with the scene-stealing scoundrel Captain Leech (superbly played by Nigel Davenport) are without question the most rewarding character moments. 

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.35:1 1080p. How does it look? Despite the presence of dirt specs and scratches, this restoration is a beauty.

Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? A cleanMono track that really comes alive during action scenes (especially the sandstorm sequence).

No extras have been included. 

August 10, 2023 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Michael Caine, Play Dirty Blu-ray Review, War Movie, WWII Movie