Le Crabe-Tambour (1977) - film review

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.

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.

© James Travers 2004

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