THE FOURTH WAR isn't exactly one of John Frankenheimer's most electrifying thrillers, but it is an interesting film given the Cold War backdrop. It's more character study than thriller, charting a battle of wits that develops between two men stationed in the icy wastelands of the north. Chief of these is Roy Scheider, once more excelling with a hard-ass performance of a military man whose obsessions threaten disaster. Jurgen Prochnow is expertly chosen as his antagonist, depicting steely courage and professionalism. Harry Dean Stanton plays in support. The film evolves pretty much as you'd expect, but it has a lean, pared-down narrative style that works.
Review of The Fourth War
