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Laurent Terzieff is at the center of this powerful statement on conscientious objection, war and justice. Terzieff is brilliant as Jean-François Cordier, a young French citizen who, when called for compulsory military service in 1949, refuses to comply based on his objection to war and violence. Though given opportunities to avoid punishment (an offer of a desk job, or objection on religious grounds) he stands his ground, even refusing the court appearance of a priest on his behalf. Watching him so obstinately stick to his guns, as a pure objector is a gripping experience, thanks to Terzieff's acting and an excellent screenplay by Jean Aurenche and Pierre Bost. In contrast to Cordier there is also Horst Frank, equally good as Adler, a German soldier who had been ordered to execute a French partisan in 1944. Adler's agonizing story is seen in a flashback that is as powerful as Cordier's statement, but not necessarily equal to it. This is where the film asks difficult questions: is a soldier guilty of a crime if he is carrying out orders, no matter how unjust, and remains distraught about the killing years later? And is Cordier less guilty of a crime because he has not killed anyone, but only objects to war and military service? The narrative of the film offers answers, but the viewer is left to decide for him or herself. Also featured in the film is Suzanne Flon, as Cordier's mother, who gives a performance of genuine depth.

A great film from director Claude Autant-Lara, it had a troubled history with its pacifist message. The French government would not support its production, due to current involvement in the Algerian War, so financial aid came from Yugoslavia. The film was never properly recognized by France, where it was poorly received by critics (probably for political reasons). It has remained obscure ever since and can sometimes be seen in an Italian-dubbed version.

France,early sixties:the Algerian war is coming to an end but not before 1962;pacifist Louis Lecoin is on a hunger strike in order to get the status of conscientious objector for all men who refuse to make war.The general de Gaulle will finally agree,but only when the war is over.

A voice rises;it does not come from the ranks of the nouvelle vague,no,it's an "old" director,Claude Autant-Lara,whose mother had been an active pacifist during WW1(an actress,she was thrown out from the comédie française for her ideas).Laurent Terzieff-the part was first intended for Gérard Philippe,who was keen on it,but he died before - plays the part of a young man who refuses to be drafted,because of his religious beliefs. He is abetted by his mother(a wonderful Suzanne Flon).

This might be the most difficult French movie to find and see.Never broadcast on TV ,it seems to scare everybody .

"These academic old hat directors gotta get away",the new wave was ceaselessly yelling.Not one among them had the guts to tackle such a responsible hard subject.

The status of conscientious objector for all men who refuse to make war did not exist in 1949 when the movie takes place; as I wrote in my first comment ,Louis Lecoin,in his seventies, almost died of a hunger strike and was saved by a group of intellectuals and artists (are you gonna let Lecoin die?),some of whom were cinema people:Henri Jeanson,Simone Signoret , Yves Montand , Suzanne Flon who plays the mom in the film .And in 1963 the status became reality.

indeed ,so many and so horrendous were the chances taken by Claude Autant-Lara on his work that,with any lesser talent ,the result could have ben disastrous .A cursory look at the conditions the director had to work under are revealing :two French actors, a German one ,the rest of the cast being thorougly Yougoslavian thespians.He spent every last penny and had to film in ex-Yougoslavia .The movie was released in summer ,when the audience was limited and the critics panned it ,be they left or right .Much more dangerous than Godard 's "Le Petit Soldat ",reserved for an intellectual elite ,Autant-Lara's work was accessible to anyone ,and it scared all the more the powers that be .Even today ,where you can find H.M.Godard 's movie easily , no " thou shalt not kill" dvd is available except an Italian version with English subtitles!And the film was never ,nerver in a month of Sundays ,screened on TV:Hence its importance and its strength.

The movie did little for the Church's reputation too . All the priests stand together for Adler the priest who had to shoot a resistant fighter during WW2:Anyway,the dice were loaded and his cause was won in advance (" he is not dangerous ,he was given orders and could not refuse") ;or could he? Horst Frank ,who was given the part of the "villain ", shines in the execution scene ,injecting more emotion in his "pater noster" than you might think possible ; apart from this sequence , this priest is cold, unsympathetic,and finally acts cowardly afterward.Hence Cordier 's giggles when he learns his occupation .

Cordier's motivation for refusing to be drafted were mostly his religious belief and Christ's words ;but towards the end, ,defended by a worker priest, he realizes that the political Church and the Army walk hand in hand and then he refuses any help, he's doomed ; he may not be released before a long long long time for ,after one year ,he will be asked again to be a soldier ,and if not...

Autant-Lara did not fall into the trap of showing a ruthless adamant army;on the contrary , the military men mostly want to get rid of this burdensome morally contagious guy : the doctor desperately tries to find a medical reason which would allow him to discharge the recruit ; in desperation ,he suggest he declare himself "crazy " ; Cordier does not want this easy way out.....He will follow his ideas through :after all ,as Gandhi and Luther King showed, non-violence can have its way .

Laurent TERZIEFF ,a cerebral character actor, portrays Cordier with a remarkable restraint of gestures and words ;Suzanne Flon ,a committed actress ,is equally effective as the proud mom whose looks say more than words .

Great scenes:

-the medical exam ,and Cordier's adamant attitude ,proudly refusing a comfortable job (the officer's secretary )or the discharge

-Cordier,leaving the military hospital ,and his mates ' reactions .

-Cordier ,alone in a room full of officers ,refusing to put on the uniform...

Autant-Lara's fight in the sixties had only begun : after this burning subject ,he broached,as nobody had done before, another taboo topic :abortion ;it was 1965 and it took 10 years before Mrs Veil's law was voted.

A man whose mother was dismissed from the Comedie Française in WW1 because of her pacifism ,Autant-Lara,the most liberal (and progressive) director of the sixties ,joined the ranks of the far right wing in the eighties ;many are still wondering why...