La 317ème section

Mar 31 1965 N/A 1h 40m
War

In Laos, 1954, eight days before the french defeat in the Indochina war, the 317th platoon – four french soldiers and 41 laotian combatants – has been ordered to leave its outpost and to retreat for the plains of Diên Biên Phu, where the french army is getting stucked. Led by the inexperienced and idealistic sous-lieutenant Torrens, fresh out of the military academy, and by adjutant Willsdorf, a WWII veteran of the Werhmacht, the group must cross 150 kilometers of jungle. But dripping rainwater, hostile nature, and the Viêt-minh ambushes expose them to constant danger.

Plot

In 1954, the Indochina War begins to come to a close following France's defeat by the Viet Minh at the deadly Battle of Dîen Bîen Phû. French forces are in full retreat and risk being overrun at every turn -- including the 317th Platoon, a unit of French soldiers and Laotian allies who are led by the idealistic but inexperienced sous-lieutenant Torrens and adjutant Willsdorf, a former soldier in the German Wehrmacht during WWII. Their survival depends on completing a trek through the dense, jungle-laden, expanse of enemy territory that stands between them and the safety of the nearest French outpost.

Written by

Pierre Schoendoerffer

Directed by

Pierre Schoendoerffer

Cast

Jacques Perrin, Bruno Cremer, Pierre Fabre

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

Spain, France

Production Companies

Producciones Benito Perojo, Rome Paris Films

Languages

Français

Awards

1 win & 1 nomination

Scores
# of Votes
1,738
Average Rating
7.3 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA