Le Crabe-Tambour
1977 Drama / War
Credits
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Summary
A naval vessel is crossing the inhospitable arctic seas, heading for New Foundland to
assist trawlers in their work. On board, the commander and his doctor, both nearing
the end of their careers, reminisce on past military adventures. They recall an
enigmatic naval hero, Wilsdorf, nicknamed “Crab-Drum”, whose exploits in Algeria
and Indochina have passed into legend.
Review
This distinctive and haunting portrait of military life was directed by Pierre Schoendoerffer,
a filmmaker with a particular interest in the lives of soldiers and sailors. Treating
his subject with great respect and sympathy, Schoendoerffer adds a note of irony and sadness.
He skilfully avoids glorifying war, yet his films are poignant, emotionally tense, and
also curiously cold and distant. Le Crabe-tambour
is among his best work, thanks largely to some extraordinary camera work from
Raoul Coutard (a key figure in the French New Wave) which masterfully conveys both a sense
of awesome scale and also great intimacy. The film is also worth noting for
its exemplary acting, with a particularly memorable performance from Jean Rochefort.
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