tvn
Joined Sep 2001
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I've seen written in some comments a T62 being mentioned. It's in fact an Israeli (TIRAN5) Ti67 that was used in this movie. Ti67 are captured T55 retrofitted with a different gun (105mm M68) and Browning M2 machine guns (visible details). The T55 is historically accurate: Russians didn't believe the more technologically advanced T62 were required in Afghanistan and also didn't wanted to deprive Eastern Europe from those tanks much required to fight in Europe ... should WWIII start in the meantime. T55 where used in a large scale in Afghanistan war. Later, T62s start appearing. Anyways, both T55 and T62 where not at their best in these territories because of the high altitude. Also, as there was not really main tank battles to be expected in Afghanistan, the tanks were used as "mobile pillboxes" and support to convoys. But because of the little pointing angles the T55 and T62 main gun, the tanks were not at all at ease in this mountainous country. Tracked tanks were not that formidable weapon the Russians had counted on to win the war.
This movie has one special extra in its cast: A very particular extra, as the world only still operational German Tiger II tank. This tank belongs to the tank museum of Saumur, in France. It is one of the many still running tanks the museum keeps. It is a rare event to see this giant machine running. The museum's participation has been important to the making of this film. Transporting the Tiger on location has been an event too. It has required the usage of a special railroad flat-bed car that is also kept for this only purpose: It's a specialized German railway car captured at the end of the war. Another participant to this film is a vintage steam engine. The movie is still not released on DVD. It's been aired on a French TV channel in the mid 90's. Unseen since again then on TV.
This movie was made just before I was born. It's been aired on TV in France a few times only. As far as I can remember the plot, Hardy Krüger and Jean Richard are soldiers of the two opposite side that are forced to live together in a French farm held by Danny Karel. Hardy Krüger knows a little bit of French Jean Richard is fluent in German. Hardy has the crush for their hostess and asks Jean - once befriended - how to say "I love you" in French. Jean, kind of upset by Hardy's insistance or mockingly translates "I love you" into something in French that in fact means "I don't give a damn". Hardy goes trying his line with Danny and after having told her she was pretty concludes with "I don't give a damn of it". Later (or earlier), Jean and Hardy, totally drunk, praise the merits of their respective French and German made rifles. They take them apart demonstrating the quality of their craftmanship but are unable to reassemble them ... they'de mixed up the parts. I've loved this movie some much that 30 years ago I still have it in mind. I hope to see it released in DVD.