Capitaine Conan (1996) - film review

In the final months of World War I, Captain Conan and his loyal soldiers clean up the enemy trenches on the battlefields of Europe.  When the armistice is signed, Conan’s war continues – in the Balkans, where his job is maintain the peace and await orders for military operations.  After the intense violent activity he has lived through, Conan finds it hard to adapt to a new kind of military life.  He regards himself as a warrior, and has nothing but contempt for his deskbound superiors.  His friends, Norbert and De Scève, sympathise with his viewpoint, but do not share his enthusiasm for mindless killing.  Conan’s war is far from over...

Bertrand Tavernier won the Best Director César for this powerful and unusual wartime drama in which he skilfully explores the psychological impact of war on young soldiers.   Excellent performances, particularly from Philippe Torreton and Samuel Le Bihan, and some effective hand-held camerawork make this a disturbing and profoundly engaging work, and one which leaves a lasting impression.  Whereas most war films tend to focus on the heroics of war, Capitaine Conan shows us another, nastier side: the way in which good men can be corrupted by war, and transformed into unscrupulous killing machines.  Tavernier’s direct approach gives the film a keen emotional edge, allowing it to drive home its humanist, anti-war messages with great effect.  Unquestionably, this is one of the director’s most worthy and mature films to date.

© James Travers 2005

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