Stellead Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

Philippa All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Josephina Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

Cristal The movie really just wants to entertain people.

BiiivAL One of my favorite childhood French films, which with great success was in the 70's in the Soviet box office. It's hard to say exactly what this film is about - about love, about war or about revenge. As it seems to me, this film from the category of stylish and very thin."In a conversation with a Frenchman, never touch upon the theme of the Second World War and, especially, the fascist occupation," - because we are taught by the French experts.It is known that almost every Frenchman lives with the awareness of his national exclusiveness. This feeling was brought up for many centuries. Therefore, to shoot a French movie about the events that are associated with the defeat and surrender without a fight of entire cities is a very delicate matter for the filmmaker.Probably, I will leave not far from the truth, if I assume that the French were waiting for such a film. They were waiting to again justify themselves (first of all, before themselves), once again skillfully revenge, and prove that even during the years of occupation they remained real Frenchmen - the cleverest, the strongest and able to truly love.On the other hand, the authors of the film needed to withstand a certain political correctness and, if possible, not to abuse the demonstration of the cruelty of the German invaders. The fact is that during the filming of the film, two-year talks ended in Europe, concluding with the signing in 1975 of the Final Helsinki Act (the birth of the OSCE). In fact, this meant a great European truce and the beginning of a new life together. And during the truce, it is known what happens to the eye of someone who remembers the old ...All this complicated the task of director Robert Enrico, but he masterfully operated with all the film tools, coped with it "perfectly", although in an ordinary French manner in a florid manner.One of the director's finds is the combination of flashbacks, that is, the memories of surgeon Julien about pre-war life, his acquaintance and love with Clara, and the real situation where the Nazis have already occupied his country, and the doctor's hands have to take up his gun. At the same time, transitions to flashbacks do not create an acute contrast, and the romantic soundtrack of the composer Francois de Rubé helps the protagonist to swim in the waves of his memory. These memories, as it were, zombie Julien so that his revenge is not troublesome, filled with confident and prudent actions. It is much more interesting to observe the revenge when it is performed by an ordinary person. It excites and makes the viewer to empathize.Another director's luck is the successful selection of actors. Philip Noiret and Romy Schneider seem to be created for each other, a great duo. Frames flashbacks are covered with a light haze and this only emphasizes the grace and beauty of Romy Schneider.In 1976, the film was awarded the CESAR award immediately by categories: Best film (Robert Enrico), Best actor (Philip Noiret), Best music (Francois De Rube) and more ... Thanks to the viewers of different countries.

leplatypus For those who like the real France, this movie is a recommendation: it's not about Paris, fashion, artists or politicians but it's about provincial life, with old bricks, nature, simple life, historic furniture and lack of technology... I'm sure that today the locations are as old, as quiet as if time doesn't happen...The story is not that invented because my native land faced this same tragedy with the small town of Oradour: beastly, inhuman, bloody SS killed civilians, children, women, old people... I'm surprised to see that the tragedy comes so soon but for one time, all the flashbacks are pretty moving... The director is really inspired to involve the audience and honestly, Noiret has the part of his career while Romy is the usual shining / anxious wife...the DVD (without subtitles!!!) says that critics lament about the violence but it's another proof that those Parisian professionals have limited scope, skills and intelligence!!!

ma-cortes Strong War/drama set in France during WWII with marvelous main cast as Philippe Noiret and Romy Schneider . Montauban in 1944, Julien Dandieu (Philippe Noiret) is a doctor in the local hospital. Frightened by the Nazi army coming Montauban, and occupying the little town , he asks his partner Francois (Jean Bouise ) to led his spouse (Romy Schneider) and daughter in the back country villa where Julien owns an old mansion . Some days later, Julien decided to meet then for the weekend, but the Nazis are already taking the village and the castle . He turns into Revenger Angel when his family is attacked by furious Germans (Joachim Hansen , Robert Hoffman ) , as his wife is fired and daughter is shot. Then he stalks the Nazis and takes the law into his own hands, searching vengeance .This exciting film contains romantic elements , brooding drama ,suspense , intrigue, thrills and lots of violence. Noiret is top-notch in a fully-formed main role as grief-plagued surgeon becoming avenger and he displays efficiently his old rifle killing mercilessly nasties .It's certainly thrilling , though the morality may be questionable , even in this time, as the spectators were clearly on the Noiret-Julien's side . It has a complex pace by means flashbacks in which are narrated the lovely relationship between the amiable surgeon and the attractive Romy Schneider . Colorful cinematography by Becker , being correctly remastered . Enjoyable musical score including a sensible leitmotif is composed and conducted by Francois De Roubaix .The motion picture is stunningly written and directed by by Robert Enrico . He was a good professional who directed interesting films as ¨Jailsbird vacation¨ , ¨Rum Runners¨, ¨The wise guys¨ and his masterpiece ¨The adventurers¨ and of course ¨The old fusil¨ . Rating : 7,5 , better than average. The film will appeal to French cinema lovers

dbdumonteil I know a lot of people will disagree,but "le Vieux Fusil" is far from being Enrico's best .The "Dictionnaire des Films " gives no star to it,which is going a bit too far ,but is not thoroughly unjustified.Let's put it straight;Enrico's best are his early efforts :his masterful "Au coeur de la vie" ,the intense beauty of which no review will reveal,"La Belle Vie" ,a courageous plea against the Algerian war,and "les Aventuriers" a much more accessible work with Hustonian accents."Le Vieux Fusil" is admittedly a good movie;nevertheless a 7.9 rating -at my time of writing-is much more than it deserves.First part -although a fiction based on real facts dealing with the martyrs of the end of the Occupation - is the best:Romy Schneider's presence (the fact she was actually a German actress is not a problem) and the harrowing scene of her death are strong assets.But the second part could be described as "Rambo meets Louis Feuillade" .The hero singlehandedly does away with a whole German patrol who's housed in his castle full of two way mirrors,secret passages,oubliettes,etc.It looks like an old Feuillade serial circa 1915 .