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Lost Command
1966 Drama / War
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Credits
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Director: Mark Robson
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Script: Nelson Gidding, based on the novel "Les Centurions" by Jean Lartéguy
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Photo: Robert Surtees
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Music: Franz Waxman
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Cast: Anthony Quinn (Lt. Col. Pierre Raspeguy),
Alain Delon (Capt. Phillipe Esclavier),
George Segal (Mahidi),
Michèle Morgan (Countess de Clairefons),
Maurice Ronet (Capt. Boisfeuras),
Claudia Cardinale (Aicha),
Grégoire Aslan (Ben Saad),
Jean Servais (Gen. Melies),
Maurice Sarfati (Merle),
Jean-Claude Bercq (Orsini),
Syl Lamont (Verte),
Jacques Marin (Mayor)
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Country: USA
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Language: English
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Runtime: 129 min
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Aka: Les Centurions
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Summary
Pierre Raspeguy’s dreams of a glittering military career are all but decimated by a disastrous
campaign in Indochina. On his return to France, he persuades his military commanders
to give him another chance, to take a battalion of hand-picked man to quell a terrorist
uprising in Algeria. Raspeguy is certain he can redeem himself, but at what cost…?
Review
This blockbuster war film (an adaptation of an acclaimed novel by Jean Lartéguy)
comes close to being a classic of its genre, mainly on the strength of its exciting action
scenes and stunning panoramic location photography. What holds it back is a bland
script which doesn’t quite get across the motivations and feelings of the characters involved,
and which fails to deliver some very potent messages about the nature of the Algerian
conflict and colonialism in general (although, to be fair, the film is fairly unbiased
and, if anything, paints the French military in a rather bad light.) . Whilst it
is frustrating that the film isn’t a lot smarter than it is, it is still possible to enjoy
what it does offer – some great cinematography, a pretty accurate depiction of armed combat,
and some engaging performances from an attractive cast which includes some of cinema’s
legendary screen actors.
© James Travers 2007
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