Lost Command
by Mark Robson
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Alain Delon, Anthony Quinn, George Segal, Maurice Ronet, Mich?le MorganDirector: Mark Robson
Brand: Sony
DVD: Region Code 99
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Korean (Subtitled); Portuguese (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DTS Surround Sound, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 130 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2002-06-25
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Sony Pictures
Movie Reviews of Lost Command
Movie Review: Excellent Dramatization of French Colonial Collapse
Summary: 5 Stars
Seems to be a bit of confusion in many of the reviews. This film does not attempt to glorify the French military action in Algeria, but rather highlights several off the salient issues and tensions that underscored the collapse of French colonialism.
Many, perhaps most of the French units which fought in French Indochina were recruited from colonial territories, but generally officered by mainland Frenchmen. The BPCs (battalions de parachutistes coloniales) are a good example, but by no means the only one. One of the young officers in Raspiguy's unit at the siege of Dien Bien Phu (where France lost Indochina)is named Mahidi -- an Algerian, played by George Segal.
Raspiguy is from peasant stock in the Pyrenees. In order to retain unit command in the French army after the Indochina debacle, he must manipulate an army widow who comes from the aristocratic class. A nice, cynical touch in the film, and, well, French. Depardieu was born too late for this film, but he might have been better in the lead role than Anthony Quinn. Maybe.
Raspiguy does indeed recruit a new unit, but tries to retain as many 'old hands' from Indochina as he can. This includes a bright young lawyer (my recollection of his profession) played by Alain Delon. Delon becomes a key player in the drama. And the unit Raspiguy recruits looks more like an REP (regiment de parachutistes entrangeres)(foreign legion), because it's definitely not full of north african or vietnamese troopers.
When Raspiguy's unit arrives in Algeria, they find themselves fighting -- you guessed it -- an Algerian independence movement which includes guerillas under the command of Mahidi. Claudia Cardinale plays Mahidi's sister, who assits the urban insurgency in Algiers.
As it was in Indochina, the Algerian independence movement was a nasty fight, with considerable brutality on both sides. Raspiguy and his men are caught up in this, and ultimately embrace it as the only effective means to complete the mission they were given. Delon breaks with Raspiguy over this issue, and ultimately resigns. The confrontation with Mahidi in the mountains (very well done depiction of small-unit infantry action) resonates of our own experience in Viet Nam: a very difficult and costly battle which Raspiguy ultimately wins, but to no avail -- as Delon leaves the HQ compound, it becomes clear to the audience which side will ultimately triumph in the struggle.
If the movie has one failing, it's a presumption of viewer familiarity with the history of French colonialism. Many folks probably don't have that, and consequently won't connect the dots: defeat by an independence movement in Indochina followed by capitulation to an independence movement in Algeria, the embitterment of French soldiers sent to fight a war they really couldn't win (other than at a cost which was unacceptable to their government), all kinds of internal tensions in the French Army itself, and, ultimately, an effort to extract a measure of revenge on the guy they held responsible for it all -- does anyone remember "Day of the Jackal'? (sp?)
In all, a very well done film. Good performances by everyone involved, though my personal favorite of AQ's work is 'High Wind in Jamaica'. If you're interested in the subject matter, try 'The Battle of Algiers', a chilling documentary film made in France, or the book 'Hell in a Very Small Place', the very best best account of Dien Bien Phu. And if you liked George Segal (not as well remembered as he should be), try two of his other films: 'The Quiller Memorandum', with Alec Guiness, and 'Bridge at Remagen', with Ben Gazzara.
Hope this helps.
Summary of Lost Command
A hard-headed officer determined to become a hero at any cost leads his defeated french army out of indochina to learn hes been relieved of command. Given another chance he launches a bloody battle against an arab terrorist. Based on book by jean larteguy. Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 05/13/2008 Starring: Anthony Quinn Michele Morgan Run time: 130 minutes Rating: NrDrama DVD Video
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