L'union sacrée (1989)

Simon, a Jewish police inspector, arrests Karim, a Muslim, in the bust of a drug smuggling cargo ship, only to realize that Karim is an undercover agent from the military intelligence, ... See full summary »

Director:

Alexandre Arcady

Writers:

Pierre Aknine, Saïd Amadis,

Stars:

Richard Berry, Patrick Bruel, Bruno Cremer

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Berry	...	Karim Hamida - un policier arabe infiltré dans un gang de trafiquants
Patrick Bruel	...	Simon Atlan - un inspecteur de police juif impulsif et violent
Bruno Cremer	...	Joulin
Claude Brasseur	...	Le colonel Revers
Saïd Amadis	...	Ali Radjani - un employé de l'ambassade, chef d'un réseau terroriste
Corinne Dacla	...	Lisa Vernier - l'ex-femme de Simon dont Karim tombe amoureux
Marthe Villalonga	...	Blanche Atlan - une restauratrice, la mère de Simon
Amidou	...	Le Kabyle
Hammou Graïa	...	Mouloud - le dealer
Lucien Layani	...	L'oncle Jacob
Michel Albertini	...	Azzedine
Tom Hygreck-Egry	...	Jérémie
Thierry Beccaro	...	Santoni
Jean-Claude de Goros	...	Colas
Pierre Vielhescaze	...	Ménard

Storyline

Simon, a Jewish police inspector, arrests Karim, a Muslim, in the bust of a drug smuggling cargo ship, only to realize that Karim is an undercover agent from the military intelligence, whose mission he was not aware of. The two men pursue the narc investigation, which will lead them to confront middle eastern terrorists together.

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Plot Keywords:

buddy cop | religious differences | marseille | gun | detective | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

15 March 1989 (France)

Also Known As:

Brothers in Arms

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alexandre Films, France 3 Cinéma, Nelson Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Les guignols de l'info: Episode dated 7 February 2007 (2007)

User Reviews

Very good commercial film that doesn't look French indeed!

If you think this is another tale of "two different cops who end up being best friends in 90'" think again.

As a thriller, it definitely entertains. Its characters, although stereotyped, are not unbelievable. Patrick Bruel is fine as a young brash cadet, but Patrick Bruel steals the show. He barely speaks, moves very little, with an economy of movements that shows self-mastery.

Sociologically, it's interesting how both share close ties with family, tradition and religion. Unlike their "secularized" French partners, they have ties with both the modern and the pre modern world.

While not pretending to be a "deep" film, it surely entertains. Claude Brasseur is fine as an "enmerdeur" boss. Corinne Dacla is a great "Iddishe mamme", good natured but nostalgic, possessive but loving. Corinne Dacla's got good legs. Cinematography is good, if a bit "for export". Like the 80's music.

It looks like a Sly Stallone movie but is definitely better (and I do like Sly).

Enjoy without pretence.