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
Writer: Pierre Schoendoerffer.
Stars: Jacques Perrin, Bruno Cremer, Pierre Fabre, Manuel Zarzo, Boramy Tioulong.
Cinematographer: Raoul Coutard.
Composers: Pierre Jansen, Gregorio García Segura (uncredited).
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.
L Bodard book as a true film of despair. Useless vain France ignoring reality.. USA doubled up fighting invisible enemy in their own country.
Volunteered to old, French Indochina, in 1970, as a paratrooper, after studying their history, culture, & Vietnamese. Sadly, never made it, to The Paris of The East. Did get to see, survey, photo, the marvelous, 1880’s, narrow gauge railroad, that was very, extensive, yet destroyed by the Vietminh. Spent much time, alone from other troops, in the villes, day & night, among the people. Do not think, my home firebase, was all that far, from Mang Yang Pass. Big ambush, The French troops, were all buried, standing-up, facing France; white marker, for each one. I think hundreds. Huge defeat. There it is, Mon. Just remember, It don’t mean nothin’. Hurd of the “Herd”; 173rd Abn.