| After the defeat at Dien Bien Phu in May 1954, which put an end to the sovereignty of France in Indochina, a small group of soldiers from the isolated base, trying to avoid being caught, were crossing the enemy lines to join the main forces. The film is so realistic that it seems to have been shot during the battle. But unlike many war movies, this is not based on the visual and sound effects. It shows Torrens, a young, inexperienced and idealistic lieutenant who volunteered to serve and Willsdorf, an experienced mercenary leading the platoon. At the beginning, Torrens seems lost in the midst of these human wrecks, but it shows the courage and strength when needed. Willsdorf, a veteran of World War II, conscripted into the German army because he was from Alsace, was a veteran of many battles. He loves Indochina, people and culture, but knows that all is lost and that he would have to abandon it quickly. He has a mission to fulfill, to save his soldiers, Laotian mercenaries, which he intends to achieve. Of course, this film does not promote war, but its purpose is to provide a look at the merciless logic of survival, regardless under what flag. This film was the debut of director Pierre Schoendoerffer (www.youtube.com who survived the conflict in Indochina as a French military correspondent. This is the best reflection of what was the war in jungle of Indochina. Pierre Schoendoerffer shows the continuation of the war in Vietnam in the next documentary realized by him ... |
