Lost Command

One reviewer categorized Anthony Quinn, who's purported to have been in more Oscar winning movies than any other actor, as Hollywood's All Purpose Ethnic...I thought that was not only an humorous description, but also an accurate one, too...I really wasn't sure about the film Lost Command (1966), but given the praise posted, I decided to give it a chance, and I wasn't disappointed. Based on a novel by Jean Lartéguy, the film was directed by Mark Robson (Peyton Place, Von Ryan's Express, Earthquake). Starring in the film is Anthony Quinn (The Guns of Navarone, Lawrence of Arabia), Alain Delon (Scorpio), and George Segal (Fun with Dick and Jane). Also appearing is Claudia Cardinale (The Professionals), Maurice Ronet (Three Rooms in Manhattan), and Michèle Morgan (Joan of Paris).The film begins as the mid-20th century conflict between the French and the Vietminh guerrillas battling each other somewhere in Indo-China comes to a close, with Quinn, playing Lt. Col. Pierre Raspeguy, finding his relatively small band of fighters overrun and eventually captured. Soon after they're deposited in a prisoner of war camp, an armistice is declared, and the men are released to return home. This is when Raspeguy, who comes from humble beginnings, learns his unit has been disbanded, and is effectively out of a job. The French command is hesitant to give him another as not only is he perceived as someone who's difficult to work with by his superiors (only when they give inane commands that will needlessly kill his men), but he's also looked down upon as an officer because he's not of noble blood, something that used to be a requirement for high ranking positions in the French Army. Anyway, through some assistance, Raspeguy does receive a new command, that of a newly formed paratrooper division made up of volunteers and rejects from other units, and his first assignment is to return to Algeria to deal with a growing insurgency among the Muslim population (the Vietminh effectively threw off the yoke of French control, and now others are getting similar ideas), led by a former French officer (who's originally of Arab descent), who, incidentally, used to be under Raspeguy's command. As Raspeguy and his men move in, the situation is far from ideal as not only do they have to find this well hidden and highly armed insurgency force, but they also have to deal with a sympathetic population (sympathetic to the rebels, not the French) and the conflict becomes increasing dirty as the rebels/terrorists use whatever means possible to push the French from their land (but that's not to say the French didn't resort to less than savory methods also). Not only that, but Raspeguy also must face harsh scrutiny from his superiors, who, it seems, are looking for any reason to put him out of commission, so success is critical (they're less likely to prosecute a hero over a scapegoat), even if it means adopting some rather harsh tactics (secretly, though, I think they admire his ability to get `down and dirty').I think one of the many things I liked about this film is, while the story was fairly complex, it wasn't difficult to follow, and I think this stems from a strong sense of direction and an eye for details provided by Robson. There may not be fluid and grace in how in how the story proceeds, but that probably comes from the desire to stay close to the source material rather than trying to appease a more general audience. I did feel some of the melodramatic elements included felt a little out of place, but given some of Robson's previous films, it's not surprising their inclusion here. The film has similarities to another film, released a year later, titled The Dirty Dozen, in that you have a band of misfits lead by a strong leader, forced to take on a very dangerous assignment, so I can't help but wonder if that film took a little from Lost Command. The main difference between the two films, in my opinion, besides the obvious, is The Dirty Dozen presents the characters in terms of heroic types, and the audience develops a sense of empathy with them, while in Lost Command, there's not so much of that as we see the some very strong-armed tactics employed by Quinn and his group, tactics that many would probably view as unfavorable, therefore not developing any strong attachments to the core characters, but given what they were up against, who's to say what one would do in a situation like that, against an enemy willing to sacrifice all for their ideals. There aren't really any strong heroes here, but men doing what they must to survive...anyway, I though Quinn did a really excellent job as Raspeguy, and I could actually believe he was not only an officer in the French army, but also a native of the country. I wasn't sure how Segal (darkened face and all) would come off as an Arab, and there were times it was a bit hard to swallow, but overall I think he managed to pull it off. And having Claudia Cardinale, as the sister of the independence movement's leader, in the film sure didn't hurt...yowsa. I enjoyed how the film showed both sides of the conflict, the difficulties they faced, and the tactics employed. I haven't seen The Battle of Algiers (1965), released a year earlier, but I have heard it deals with the same conflict, both films covering the historical aspects very well.The anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) picture on this DVD looks very sharp, and the 2-channel Dolby surround audio comes through clearly. There are slim pickings with regards to special features as the only extras include a trailer for this film, along with another for The Guns of Navarone (1961).Cookieman108By the way, watch for an early appearance by Burt Kwouk as a Vietminh officer...most will remember him as Inspector Clouseau's manservant Cato Fong, from the Pink Panther series...Clouseau: You raving Oriental idiot! There is a time and a place for everything, Cato! And this is it!

Was used but in good condition

Starts with Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam. Ends in Algeria. Story of a from the ranks French soldier doing his best for France and his own advancement. Complicated by friends who become enemies. Should be a companion to the documentary "Battle of Algeres". Anthony Quinn with several known French actors. Lots of shooting but not much blood.

They don't make them like this. I've always been a fan of historical fiction. Anthony Quinn was a terrific actor. In this film he plays the commanding officer of the French garrison at Dien Bien Phu right before its fall to the Viet Minh. Its loss marked the end of French rule in Indochina.Upon returning to France, Quinn is given command of a new paratroop battalion. His new assignment is to put down the new uprising in Algeria. With help from his former staff, Quinn trains his new recruits to face their new threat in the heart of North Africa. However, it is not without its challenges. George Segal plays an Algerian rebel leader, a former member under Quinn's command, who is now seeking independence from France.Filmed with references to actual events, one cannot help admire how the director and producer placed the actors in what would have been real-life events. If you enjoy classic war films of the 60's, this one you'll love.

I saw this film in the early 70's. Loved then and still love it. Its got my favorite French actor Alain Delon!

Few people want to watch the old movies about Colonial Foreign Wars, particularly the French colonialism that produced wars in Vietnam, and Algeria. " The Lost Command" is a good, but shallow historical overview of French military tactics, but the movie is worth watching through the intense and fine acting by Anthony Quinn and Alain Delon, who bring strong emotional characters to the screen, the reasons why colonialism always ends badly for the dominant power, as those colonies are stirred to demand self-independence.Threaded through the movie is Quinn's role as a commander seeking promotion and glory " to be accepted " in the upper echelons of the elite French politicians and Generals who do not have a clue about the end of colonialism and lack visionary and strategic ways to allow for colonial independence. Quinn is assigned to bring Algeria under military rule, and through brutal tactics, defeats his enemy, new actor " George Segal" playing a former Legionnaire, now turned Algerian revolutionary....he is defeated, Quinn goes home to his promotion, and the French believing all is under control, are still left with Algerians writing on the city walls " Freedom Now" at the end of the movie. We also get a glimpse of the fall of Dien Bien Phu, but not in detail. Good movie, good acting, and a preview of why we ended with the Vietnam War.

This is a pretty good film, although from a historical point of view it misses a few important points about the conflict in Algeria.The director's intent was clearly to show how a good soldier (LTC Raspeguy) becomes compromised in his efforts to stop a terror war in the French colony. The more dangerous and extreme the actions of the terrorists the more Raspeguy looks the other way when his soldiers take extreme steps in response. A man of physical courage, Raspeguy fails to invoke moral courage in himself and his soldiers.A few minor technical issues, such as the matchbox bombs used in the film. There is no way such a small device could be as destructive as they are portrayed in the film, but it is an important plot point.Anthony Quinn is as good as ever in this film, although I think the role could have been expanded to take better advantage of his acting skills.Be sure to look for "Cato" at the beginning of the film. I also had my doubts about him...

I have lots of war films in my collection but I had not heard of this film until I watched a little of it on freeview. Feeling it was captivating I searched amazon to see if the film was available as a dvd, and as it was I bought it and stopped watching the film on the tele; not wishing to spoil my viewing of the DVD. I found it highly enjoyable, with comradeship and tension between to officers, great action scenes and the presence of the beautiful Claudia Cardinale spiced it up too. Well worth obtaining a copy for any war movie aficionado

This story of French forces posted to supress independence protesters in Algeria is not as realistic as The Battle Of Algiers, preferring instead to concentrate more on personal experiences of some of the French soldiers to create a fairly conventional action/drama movie. But it does touch briefly on most of the issues and brutalities of colonial rule. None national actors playing the main Algerian roles is awkward, but this is a good effort nonetheless.

I have Been interested in how the FrenchRan Algeria on the run up to there Independence

A very good film. Sets out a picture of how France went form the war in Indo China to the war in Algeria.Helps to provide background knowledge.

Very pleased to find this DVD, a favourite film of mine from many years ago. Delighted with my purchase