Diên Biên Phú (1992)

An American reporter finds himself in the middle of the 57-day battle of Dien Bien Phu in Vietnam between the French army and the Vietminh, which finally resulted in the defeat and ... See full summary »

Director:

Pierre Schoendoerffer

Writer:

Pierre Schoendoerffer

Stars:

Donald Pleasence, Patrick Catalifo, Jean-François Balmer

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Donald Pleasence	...	Howard Simpson
Patrick Catalifo	...	Le capitaine Jégu de Kerveguen
Jean-François Balmer	...	L'homme de l'AFP / AFP employee
Ludmila Mikaël	...	Béatrice Vergnes
François Négret	...	Le caporal / Corporal
Maxime Leroux	...	Le lieutenant d'artillerie / Artillery Lieutenant
Raoul Billerey	...	Le père Bambourger
Anh The	...	Ong Cop, M. Tigre (as Thé Anh)
Christopher Buchholz	...	Le capitaine / Captain Morvan
Patrick Chauvel	...	Lieutenant Duroc, DC3 Pilot
Eric Do	...	Le lieutenant Ki / Lieutenant Ki
Thu Hà	...	Cuc - la femme de Thadé
Igor Hossein	...	Le photographe
Luc Lavandier	...	Le sergent des Thais / Thai Sergeant
Joseph Momo	...	Mamadou Koulibali

Storyline

An American reporter finds himself in the middle of the 57-day battle of Dien Bien Phu in Vietnam between the French army and the Vietminh, which finally resulted in the defeat and surrender of the French forces and France's eventual withdrawal from Vietnam.

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Plot Keywords:

parachute drop | siege | transport aircraft | dien bien phu | french military | 

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Pierre Schoendoerffer participated the battle of Dien Bien Phu as an army photographer. Depicted in the movie by his son, Ludovic Schoendoerffer.

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Goofs

Vietnamese army's M60 Patton tanks were used in the movie (former South Vietnamese army tanks). During the real battle, French army used only ten M24 Chaffee light tanks.

User Reviews

Too much stereotypes

This movie narrates Dien Bien Phu battle, the decisive one between France and Indochina separatists - Vietnamese having not finished with wars as this was preceding the US presence and Vietnam war. As important as it is for France to have a movie on this war, and this battle - with only a few other - the movie is globally disappointing. Mainly its first part, where the conflict is shown through the eyes of an american reporter, in relation with some French military officers and one Vietnamese rickshaw driver... The characters are stereotyped, and the population is represented, outside the rickshaw driver, by the bets at a Chinese bookmaker and one educated Vietnamese - with both these two guys pretty well aware of what awaits them in the future with the Vietcong! I have to confess, as a French, I would have loved to have the Vietnamese population shown and their relationship with France, instead of that and a classical violin concert.

Second part is better as it shows the battle itself and has the quality to avoid its representation by blitz war and clear winners / losers. Here the war longs the whole days, with losses and wins changing each time. We see how volunteers keep coming, to help their fellow soldiers (France 'territory' is not the point anymore) and to defend their honor - not forgetting the 'rats', the one that hide and avoid the battle.

Globally, average.

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

4 March 1992 (France)

Also Known As:

Die Schlacht von Dien Bien Phu

Filming Locations:

Hanoi, Vietnam

Box Office

Budget:

FRF1,400,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Flach Film, Mod Films, France 2 Cinéma

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1