Shock Troops

A resistance film set in occupied France. 1943. A small resistance group raids a prison, planning to bring twelve men out. The raid succeeds, but when they count there is a problem: there are thirteen men outside. The extra man will not say who he is. Part of the group is certain he is an infiltrator; part will not kill someone who may be innocent. With the Germans sweeping the area, they have to decide. What the film is interested in is not combat but trust. Everyone watches everyone and nobody can be sure. There is no romantic account of the resistance here; the group is tired, hungry and short-tempered with each other. It is the director's second film and is counted as the beginning of his turn towards political cinema. Bruno Cremer, Michel Piccoli, Jean-Claude Brialy and Charles Vanel are in the cast. Costa-Gavras directed. A little-known but solid example for anyone who likes resistance stories and war films that build tension psychologically. For a viewer expecting action, the film consists largely of waiting, arguing and suspicion.