French colonists in Africa, several months behind in the news, find themselves at war with their German neighbors. Deciding that they must do their proper duty and fight the Germans, they promptly conscript the local native population. Issuing them boots and rifles, the French attempt to make "proper" soldiers out of the Africans.
What has been pointed out about this film that may be of interest is how much more critical the film is of the French than it is of the Germans, despite the fact the Germans are portrayed as the bad guys. And, of course, by the 1970s, the French had fought the Germans twice in the last 50 or so years in some pretty massive wars, so it is interesting not to vilify them.
But what is more interesting, at least to me, is the choice to put the story in Africa. World War I is not very well known in America. We are not taught much about it. And it surprises me that battles were even fought in Africa. This should not surprise me, but it does, because I cannot recall for the life of me ever being told such a thing. And that makes me want to learn more. Not the film's intent, but a consequence just the same.
What has been pointed out about this film that may be of interest is how much more critical the film is of the French than it is of the Germans, despite the fact the Germans are portrayed as the bad guys. And, of course, by the 1970s, the French had fought the Germans twice in the last 50 or so years in some pretty massive wars, so it is interesting not to vilify them.
But what is more interesting, at least to me, is the choice to put the story in Africa. World War I is not very well known in America. We are not taught much about it. And it surprises me that battles were even fought in Africa. This should not surprise me, but it does, because I cannot recall for the life of me ever being told such a thing. And that makes me want to learn more. Not the film's intent, but a consequence just the same.