Les Carabiniers (1963)

During a war in an imaginary country, unscrupulous soldiers recruit poor farmers with promises of an easy and happy life. Two of these farmers write to their wives of their exploits.

Director:

Jean-Luc Godard

Writers:

Beniamino Joppolo (play), Jean-Luc Godard (adaptation)

Stars:

Patrice Moullet, Marino Masé, Geneviève Galéa

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Marino Masé	...	Ulysses (as Marino Mase)
Patrice Moullet	...	Michel-Ange (as Albert Juross)
Geneviève Galéa	...	Venus
Catherine Ribeiro	...	Cleopatre
Barbet Schroeder	...	Car salesman
Jean-Louis Comolli	...	Soldier with fish
Gérard Poirot	...	Carabinier #1
Jean Brassat	...	Carabinier #2
Alvaro Gheri	...	Carabinier #3
Odile Geoffroy	...	Young Communist girl

Storyline

During a war, the poor and ignorant brothers Ulysses and Michel-Ange are lured and recruited by two soldiers that promise wealth to them in the name of their King. The greedy wife of Ulysses Cleopatre and her daughter Venus ask them to enlist to pursue fortune. They travel to Italy and become unscrupulous criminals of war. When Ulysses is wounded in one eye, he returns home with Michel-Ange and a small bag full of postcards of famous locations and the promise that they would be entitled of the properties in the end of the war. However, when the King signs the peace treaty with their enemy, they find that the agreement was actually surrender and they have a prize to pay for their actions.

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Plot Keywords:

nouvelle vague | french new wave | cult film | cynicism | sardonic | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | War

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Details

Country:

France Italy

Language:

French

Release Date:

27 September 1967 (USA)

Also Known As:

Les Carabiniers

Filming Locations:

Rungis, Val-de-Marne, France

Box Office

Budget:

$140,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cocinor, Les Films Marceau, Rome Paris Films

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

[last lines]
Narrator: Henceforth the two brothers slept for an eternity, believing the brain, in decay, functioned beyond death, and its dreams are what constitute Paradise.

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Connections

Referenced in Film Geek (2005)

User Reviews

one of the best anti-war films made.Vive la France!

What an amazing film.From the opening notes of the military march, to the final scene,this is a harrowing ride through the landscapes of "soldiers pay."There is nothing slick or overproduced here,thank Godard. The use of actual letters from French soldiers in wars from 1812 to ww2, is a masterstroke that effectively ties the scenes together.This could be a documentary and is done in this style.This works very well with the vintage newsreel images that are also used to tie the scenes.If you are looking for a RAMBO type war -adventure,go rent a Chuck Norris film.If you are a serious fan of the war/anti-war genre,do not miss this one!