i've read thru the other comments twice now and think perhaps most did not see the same film i did. this doesn't quite click in my head as just an anti-war film; it is something else, a darker thing that aims at a soft rot inside us all.
the development of the character of the geographer, fresnoy, was like a rusty nail hidden in the pudding. he was in the beginning so likeably idealistic; we hoped for him.
out of date papers arrive and "war" is discovered in an old issue. in a sudden fervor of nationalistic spirit the colonials are senselessly eager to march into conflict; they are a barely controlled mob. all but one; fresnoy stands apart and counsels talk rather in lieu of instant bloodshed. he is the human voice, his the ignored pleas.
after the 'defeat' the fresnoy gets another hearing and with forceful initiative takes charge of a situation seen as hopeless by the others; while they quibble and cavil he begins to organize the outpost for war. he is quite good at this and earns everyone's grudging respect as the fort takes on a martial aspect and the idea of safety once again takes hold.
but something happens to fresnoy. most of the colonials are slapstickish fools first, foremost and forever. but fresnoy develops slowly from idealist to man of authority. with power he evolves into a dark shadow of his former self. it is not unlike the descent of kurtz in apocalypse now/heart of darkness. his black mistress openly flaunted, his imperious air, his elevation of africans into minor positions of power all might be seen as his being a moderating and liberating force. i don't think so. i think he has begun to be eaten from the inside by the power he has tasted and that his life will never be the same. the end, where he is seen as almost a twin to the German officer and they both admit to being socialists, is meant only, i believe, as bitter irony.
the development of the character of the geographer, fresnoy, was like a rusty nail hidden in the pudding. he was in the beginning so likeably idealistic; we hoped for him.
out of date papers arrive and "war" is discovered in an old issue. in a sudden fervor of nationalistic spirit the colonials are senselessly eager to march into conflict; they are a barely controlled mob. all but one; fresnoy stands apart and counsels talk rather in lieu of instant bloodshed. he is the human voice, his the ignored pleas.
after the 'defeat' the fresnoy gets another hearing and with forceful initiative takes charge of a situation seen as hopeless by the others; while they quibble and cavil he begins to organize the outpost for war. he is quite good at this and earns everyone's grudging respect as the fort takes on a martial aspect and the idea of safety once again takes hold.
but something happens to fresnoy. most of the colonials are slapstickish fools first, foremost and forever. but fresnoy develops slowly from idealist to man of authority. with power he evolves into a dark shadow of his former self. it is not unlike the descent of kurtz in apocalypse now/heart of darkness. his black mistress openly flaunted, his imperious air, his elevation of africans into minor positions of power all might be seen as his being a moderating and liberating force. i don't think so. i think he has begun to be eaten from the inside by the power he has tasted and that his life will never be the same. the end, where he is seen as almost a twin to the German officer and they both admit to being socialists, is meant only, i believe, as bitter irony.