In 1954, the Indochina War begins to come to a close following France’s defeat by the Viet Minh at the deadly Battle of Dîen Bîen Phû. French forces are in full retreat and risk being overrun at every turn — including the 317th Platoon, a unit of French soldiers and Laotian allies who are led by the idealistic but inexperienced sous-lieutenant Torrens and adjutant Willsdorf, a former soldier in the German Wehrmacht during WWII. Their survival depends on completing a trek through the dense, jungle-laden, expanse of enemy territory that stands between them and the safety of the nearest French outpost.
Director: Pierre Schoendoerffer. AKA The 317th Platoon
Stars: Jacques Perrin, Bruno Cremer, Pierre Fabre, Manuel Zarzo, Boramy Tioulong.
1965 Cannes Film Festival – Nominated for the Palme d’Or.
1965 Cannes Film Festival – Winner Best Screenplay.
One of the best war films ever made. Totally realistic.
Characters, script, filming and direction, everything is realistic It feels utterly authentic,
A terrific addition to the filmic literature of the war in SE Asia. Great work by Coutard on camera, performances top notch, locales beyond authentic. Merçi Jon!
This totally knocked me out. Thanks so much for it.