This may likely be the best Mark Robson war movie of the 60's; certainly much better in my opinion than the more highly regarded Von Ryan's Express. Due a better fate than rental (Spoiler) due to its intelligent exposition of the brutalization of war and the erosion of human honor and self-respect as( Spoiler) Respiguy seeks the patronage of the widow of the aid who he had suspected of betraying him at Dien Ben Phu and with whom he and she become lovers. (Spoiler)Once in Algeria the unit formed initially responds with repulsion to the atrocities until they participate at Rahlem;s(Spoiler) from this point on Respiguy's moral decline increases till he wins the final battle with treacherous tactics.
(Spoiler): The film title may best be explained in the context of Respiguy's erosion of moral compass for personal glory and socio- political security in The Fourth Republic. (Spoiler) Deftly edited and photographed with excellent use of the Panavision camera; a remarkable Hollywood assessment of the first modern Guerilla War.
(Spoiler): The film title may best be explained in the context of Respiguy's erosion of moral compass for personal glory and socio- political security in The Fourth Republic. (Spoiler) Deftly edited and photographed with excellent use of the Panavision camera; a remarkable Hollywood assessment of the first modern Guerilla War.