A few observations before I discuss the film in detail. First, the English captioning of this DVD is rather poor. While the body of the text seemed okay, the grammar wasn't and a few times sentences just didn't make much sense. Second, Annabella is billed first. However, she's not even in the film until it's half complete and even then, it's clearly a Jean Gabin starring film. She was a bigger star at the time and later married Tyrone Power, incidentally. Third, the film is about the Spanish Foreign Legion--a group started in 1920. Despite three Frenchmen and an American in the regiment, apparently there were actually very few foreigners in its ranks. And, those who did serve were mostly Hispanics from the Americas--especially Cuba.
The film begins with Pierre (Gabin) in Spain--having run away from a murder he committed back home in Paris. He's broke, hungry and homeless. In desperation, he enlists in the Spanish Foreign Legion. However, there is an odd man who also enlists, Fernando (Robert Le Vigan)--an odd man who begins bating Pierre. Perhaps Fernando knows about Pierre's past. Regardless, Pierre goes to the commanding officer to request that the two be put in separate units--which is done. However, a bit later, Fernando is back--and a showdown is certain between them.
This film, superficially, looks like "Beau Geste". However, in style it's quite different. "Beau Gest" is quite sentimental and the important part of the film is the back story. You also really like the characters--they are noble and decent. However, "La Bandera" is more existential--perhaps like a novel by Camus. Yes, there is a past--but the film really is set in the present and there is very little sentiment. Plus, Pierre is NOT a good guy--and the film is a much more amoral or non-judgmental sort of picture. This makes "La Bandera" seem a bit more realistic but also a lot less satisfying. It's just hard to really care about the guy. This, by the way, is true in several of Gabin's films of the era, such as "La Bête Humaine". Well worth seeing but I think I prefer the sentiment and style of the American film.
The film begins with Pierre (Gabin) in Spain--having run away from a murder he committed back home in Paris. He's broke, hungry and homeless. In desperation, he enlists in the Spanish Foreign Legion. However, there is an odd man who also enlists, Fernando (Robert Le Vigan)--an odd man who begins bating Pierre. Perhaps Fernando knows about Pierre's past. Regardless, Pierre goes to the commanding officer to request that the two be put in separate units--which is done. However, a bit later, Fernando is back--and a showdown is certain between them.
This film, superficially, looks like "Beau Geste". However, in style it's quite different. "Beau Gest" is quite sentimental and the important part of the film is the back story. You also really like the characters--they are noble and decent. However, "La Bandera" is more existential--perhaps like a novel by Camus. Yes, there is a past--but the film really is set in the present and there is very little sentiment. Plus, Pierre is NOT a good guy--and the film is a much more amoral or non-judgmental sort of picture. This makes "La Bandera" seem a bit more realistic but also a lot less satisfying. It's just hard to really care about the guy. This, by the way, is true in several of Gabin's films of the era, such as "La Bête Humaine". Well worth seeing but I think I prefer the sentiment and style of the American film.