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Post by jms on Sept 19, 2021 13:35:34 GMT -5
I saw this movie when it came out and yes, I know that dates me. I haven't seen it since and have found it on line. What the opinion on authenticity?
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Post by jms on Sept 20, 2021 9:36:39 GMT -5
 French actor Alain Delon was one of the few members of the cast that had served in the French military although he spent his time in Indochina and not Algeria. He said of his 4 year stint in service he spent 11 months in jail because he was considered undisciplined. This made him perfect for the role he played in the film. |
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Post by jms on Sept 20, 2021 9:47:52 GMT -5
Although Anthony Quinn was not French nor a paratrooper, I thought he carried the role off very well. Loosely based on General Bigeard, his character was admirable but not without controversy!  |
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Post by lew on Sept 20, 2021 10:25:38 GMT -5
All of the equipment is French surplus, and the movie did a great job on that front. Cinematography theory was a bit different back then, but the story and execution are solid enough that it's still worth a watch today. I don't remember anything glaringly-wrong with the tactics or the like.
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Post by jms on Sept 20, 2021 13:47:02 GMT -5
I noticed that a lot of the terrorists were carrying Spanish Mausers. The way the action scenes were edited, I often couldn't tell what rifles the paras were using. Sometimes it did look like they were carrying some Mausers too. The movie was filmed in Spain so I guess that makes sense. I may have to watch it again and slow the pace down so I can better see what's what. I was surprised at how much of the film I didn't recall but considering I was 10 at the time, I probably only considered the action scenes to be memorable.
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Post by Kenneth on Sept 28, 2021 15:55:55 GMT -5
Movie guns and other props are an interesting subject. There are probably websites about guns in movies as well as vehicles. Sometimes correct guns are used in the closer shots and other guns substituted in the long shots. For much older time periods, they have sometimes modified guns, something butchering guns in the process. But it's always remarkable when they get anything right. Movies made in the past weren't much different in that respect, except that what are now long out of production firearms were probably still available brand new.
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