Rating: R
Genre:
War
Theatrical Release: 02/16/2006(USA
Release Date: 06/12/2007
SubTitles: English/Espanol
Dubbed: French
Sound: DD5.1
Run Time: 119 Minutes
Flags: Adult Situations, Profanity, War Violence
Distributor/Studio: Weinstein Company
Director
Rachid Bouchareb teams with screenwriter
Olivier Morelle to offer a revealing look at the brave contributions made by North African soldiers who fought for France during World War II in this emotionally-charged
war drama starring
Jamel Debbouze,
Samy Naceri,
Sami Bouajila, and
Bernard Blancan. The year was 1943 and France had been bending to the will of Nazi Germany for three long years. In order to break
Hitler's powerful grip, the first French Army was recruited in Africa. Comprised of 130,000 North Africans who were willing to put their lives on the line in order to defeat the Nazi death machine, the fearless fighters were contemptuously dubbed
indigènes (natives) by many French, despite their remarkable sacrifice. From the noble
Abdelkader (
Bouajila), who is fighting strictly for the cause; to the money motivated
Yassir (
Naceri); the impoverished
Saïd (
Debbouze); and die-hard romantic
Messaoud (
Roschdy Zem), who longs to finally visit the country he has dreamt about from afar, the selfless efforts of these remarkable men ultimately transcend their superiors' contemptuous disregard for their service by providing invaluable aid during one of the world's darkest hours.
~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide