Ketrivie It isn't all that great, actually. Really cheesy and very predicable of how certain scenes are gonna turn play out. However, I guess that's the charm of it all, because I would consider this one of my guilty pleasures.

ChampDavSlim The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

mraculeated The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

Tobias Burrows It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

andrewglencross65 Superb, gripping take on France's Algeria quagmire.Not writing a review as such, just keen to share some thoughts.Spoiler Alert: The Iraq comparison hits you in the face early on. And from a western point of view Iraq is THE telling comparison.America's occupation post Saddam ouster is much more in keeping with the tone of the Algerian experience. Afghanistan, as wars go, is a more just one - fought in response to an international act of mass murder.The Colonel, although made essentially toxic by his long exposure to war, is waging, with the apparent blessing of the French military hierarchy, a campaign to bust up an insurgency and seems to have succeeded.He's displaying the whatever it takes mentality to win, isn't he?. I'm sure it wasn't only the Gestapo who practiced torture in WW11.I'm NOT saying this is right, but the film, at least for me, begs the question - is it necessarily wrong as part of an overall war-fighting/winning strategy - especially if it will save lives.The ultra naive young Lt bothered me. Completely unfit for military service, psychologically and physically.Clearly, I know he shouldn't have been in the army, let alone Algeria - joining up because of a broken heart.Spoiler Alert/s: But I was repulsed by his cowardice when he finally made it into combat but couldn't even bring himself to use his gun to save the life of a French comrade.In fact he didn't fire a single shot during the village skirmish, preferring to cower behind a stone wall, as those about him blast away at the insurgents. And HE is the one who opens the Colonel's mind to his process of bloody realpolitik, but doesn't see it until his musings about summary execution become a gut churning reality.As an earlier contributor wrote, I agree this film is more interesting for the historical/human conduct questions it raises rather than the obvious Oh-My-God! this is just like the Americans in Iraq thing!.."The Colonel", much like his job in the film, truly toys with your mind.

arsenick French movies about the "Events", as France called the independence war of Algeria from 1954 to 1962, are not so numerous. This one is clever, well shot (except for the framing) and wonderfully played. Olivier Gourmet is definitely one of my favorites french-speaking actors. First of all, I was cautious about the so many times used trick leading into depicting a past story from a present day perspective. It is very often a fake process intended to draw tears. I do prefer complete past stories, which also make us think about present day's similarities. I am impressed to read on this comments board the comparison made by people from everywhere with Iraq and Afghanistan. Reason Vs. emotion. But this movie is not so badly made regarding this trick. It is also a reflexion about amnesty of war criminals, the relevance of military justice and the constant hypocrisy of french people about Algeria. I regret a bit the part consisting in telling a past story from the reading of a journal written by a young officer, but Cecile de France is so lovely and she is doing well. The telling of the past story analyzes quite well also the differences of views between the army (coming from metropolitan France)and the colonial white community in Algeria. It makes me think that this war could also have resulted in an independence war in a South African or American way, setting-up the colonials free from their homeland, and leading to a segregationist state. There is a lot to think of in this movie. I am surprised that this movie had not been echoed so much. It reminded me of "Honneur d'un capitaine" (the honor of a captain), movie shot by Pierre Schoendoerffer in 1982, also telling about torture.

TVandMovies-Man This is a well made and relevant film that explores the moral, ethical and legal implications of war against an insurgency. Rossi, a young French soldier who is a lawyer in training enlists into the Army and goes to Algeria where the French were trying to pacify Algeria 40 years ago. Rossi's experiences with his Colonel and the methods used by the Colonel against the insurgency puts Rossi in an impossible situation. The story alternates between the war and present day where a murder investigation is under way and a mysterious diary of Rossi is being mailed anonymously in pieces by someone and read by a sympathetic and riveted female soldier who is investigating the murder that seems to be related to Rossi's diary and the events described within.

etiennepelletier I attended the World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.Incredibly shot, marvelous acting and a story that will make you think strongly not only about the situation then but of the situation in our current day world. Costa-Gavras' script (co-written with Jean-Claude Grumberg) is tight and stimulating.I really hope to see this movie in theatres soon for every one to enjoy.Terrific final cameo with Aznavour!Congratulations guys.