I saw a clip of this movie in a documentary about horror films and it prompted me to obtain it. I am so glad I have seen this movie. As a history buff who is interested in the First World War (the Great War) it appealed to me on that level. Jean-Diaz lost most of his friends on the last patrol on the final day, and that sums up the futility and waste of WWI. Some have criticized the use of stock footage, but in this case I think it works. This is a movie about war after all, and you don't get any more powerful than the real thing. Also, given the technology of the time it would have been difficult for the crew to recreate the war.
I agree with other reviewers, there are problems in the middle. The romantic subplot with Flo just doesn't work at all. I also wish they would have given us a closer look at what Jean-Diaz was doing in his workshop.
The final scene at the Verdun cemetery is among the most powerful I have ever seen. When he calls out to the dead in French, English and German that is moving. He calls them his friends -- he is one of them because in a sense he died in the war. At the opening a credit is given to the group, "Mutiliated Veterans of the Last World War". Those were real WWI vets playing the part of the ghosts who rise from the graves. Their scars are real. Haunting! See this movie if you have a chance.
I agree with other reviewers, there are problems in the middle. The romantic subplot with Flo just doesn't work at all. I also wish they would have given us a closer look at what Jean-Diaz was doing in his workshop.
The final scene at the Verdun cemetery is among the most powerful I have ever seen. When he calls out to the dead in French, English and German that is moving. He calls them his friends -- he is one of them because in a sense he died in the war. At the opening a credit is given to the group, "Mutiliated Veterans of the Last World War". Those were real WWI vets playing the part of the ghosts who rise from the graves. Their scars are real. Haunting! See this movie if you have a chance.