I'm the boss around here!
I ordered you to regroup, not to head off on your own!
I give the orders. I got you all this far!
We've lost Omar!
Go to say we've taken the enemy position and request orders.
Yes, Sergeant.
Sergeant?
I have news for you Saïd.
You're promoted Private First Class.
You're transferred to HQ.
Take your pack and go there.
I don't want to be First Class, Sarge.
I'm fine like I am now.
I was kidding!
Learn to fend for yourself.
I might die one day.
You're not going to die, Sarge.
You not say that, ever.
You're going to be alive
to become Captain, God willing.
Captain is too much paperwork.
Are French girls all like this?
She says she's with you for life and then forgets you.
Is that how it is here?
When you get promoted, pick a rich, pretty one.
She is beautiful...
Look at the photo
and tell me what you think. The truth.
Is she serious or not serious?
- What is her name? - Irène.
Irène's a pretty name.
We have to see this war through. We'll return with honour.
Irène will be proud of you.
Listen to this.
"After the war, I return to Marseilles, Irène.
"I send you kisses. I think of you...
"...day and night, Messaoud."
- Pretty, huh? - It's like a song.
CENSORED
They're not idiots, Captain.
They've been away from home 20 months, they're freezing here...
I know, Sergeant!
- The French get leave. - No ships!
There were ships to bring them here,
but none to send them on leave?
We'd like to see our families,
like the mainland French. It's unfair.
And the French get promotion before anyone from North Africa!
You're doing good work. I'll put you up for promotion.
I don't want it. My men deserve it as much as me.
Corporal Abdelkader, for instance.
Don't sleep.
Wake up! Get up!
God rest his soul.
What is it?
What does it say?
Read it.
"Muslim soldier,
"know that you can cross to the German side
"where you will be warmly welcomed
"and your life saved.
"Your leaders send you to die in place of the French.
"Muslim soldier,
"you weren't born into slavery.
"Germany will give you your freedom.
"The day of independence has come for Africa."
What would you do without us, Abdelkader?
You have something in mind?
Out with it,
man to man.
De Gaulle said we're fighting for liberty.
I'm fighting with France against Nazism.
Come out of your holes!
We have leave!
Come out!
There is leave! We're going home!
It is finished. It is finished.
These aren't to go home in.
This evening, there will be dancers!
She hasn't replied to my letters.
Be patient, soldier.
There's a war on. The mail hasn't arrived.
It has. There was none for me.
Leroux! Martinez!
Martinez, you're promoted to Staff Sergeant. Congratulations!
Thank you, Captain.
And you are Sergeant now, Leroux. Congratulations.
Try to find stripes.
Well done, Leroux.
Thank you, Staff Sergeant.
Messaoud!
The girls will go wild for you in those boots!
Do you like your coat, Corporal?
Yes, I suppose.
God keep you.
Amen.
Saïd!
He wears me out! I have to go.
Here I am!
Sit yourself down.
Whisky.
Like in America.
Excuse me, Sarge, it burns!
Just a second...
Have a cigar.
- Is it for me? - Of course it's for you.
You know,
I don't usually smoke cigars,
but I will now.
I like you, Saïd.
Me too, Sarge.
I like you too.
You deserve to be First Class.
The whole unit does. But Staff can't see that.
They can't tell, they don't know us.
We'll liberate the country and go home.
But, Sarge...
Here too is our home.
It's France.
We're fighting for her, for the motherland.
Here is our home and I know
you're like us too...
An Arab.
What did you just say?
I see photo of your mother in the shirt.
It's incredible.
Put the photo of your mother
next to photo of my mother, they look like sisters.
You searched my things, you bastard!
Shit-stirring scum!
Never talk about this again or I'll kill you.
Get lost!
Fall in! Attention!
At ease!
What is this shit?!
Sit down!
I'm taking my leave!
With her potatoes And mouldy beans
France is our mother She feeds us
Listen!
Listen to me, my brothers!
When I enlisted, I listened to De Gaulle.
He said France was fighting for freedom around the world.
I thought the war would give us the rights of our French brothers.
We're all fighting against Hitler.
for liberty, equality and fraternity.
It's about time they gave us some of that liberty,
that equality and, above all, that fraternity!
We're changing the destiny of France!
Things must change for us too!
Stand aside!
You're asking for it!
You keep stirring up shit!
The French reward themselves,
then you white Africans,
and we Natives are forgotten.
There are quotas.
Quotas?
Why didn't you tell us?
You can't understand, so shut up and step down!
Why can't I understand? A wog has less of a brain than you?
Wogs aren't capable of leadership.
That day will come, Sergeant.
Pardon me... "Staff" Sergeant.
What are you doing here?
I tried to get to Marseilles.
The French get leave, we get nothing. Is that normal?
Is it normal?
You tried to desert.
Are you crazy?
I have to see her.
Why are you here, Corporal?
I had a fight with Martinez, the Staff Sergeant.
Got a Gauloise?
They're at the front. Their position is secret.
Write to him.
I already have, several times. There's been no reply.
Tell me...
Is he dead?
Give me his name. We'll find out.
Messaoud Souni.
He's with the 7th Algerian Infantry.
If we hear anything, we'll let you know.
Thank you.
Colonel, we must be firm with the Muslims.
Punish this Corporal as a warning.
Rambert, tell me something...
Yes, Colonel?
Before joining De Gaulle at the last minute,
what were you in Vichy?
- Martinez. - Yes, sir.
You know the Muslims. What do we do with him?
He's loyal to France, Colonel.
All my men are patriots.
Corporal, you risk a court-martial!
- There is injustice, Colonel. - Silence!
We must strive together towards one goal: our victory.
France needs us, all of us.
Do you understand what I'm saying?
Yes, Colonel.
In Alsace, the 35th US Division
has broken through.
They're under attack and require reinforcements and ammunition.
We must hold this bridgehead
until the offensive a few days from now.
Captain Durieux needs brave men,
men of experience.
It's a very dangerous mission.
I volunteer, Colonel.
Corporal, I give you my word of honour,
that the rewards for yourself and all the brave men
who contribute to this historic exploit
will be worthy of the feat.
You will be the first to reach Alsace.
All of France will watch and remember you.
I shall fight with my body and soul, Colonel,
as I have always done.
Corporal Abdelkader.
He's a man of his word.
There's no time to lose. Get your unit's ammunition.
Captain...
Private Messaoud is in jail.
We need our marksman. I'll see to it.
Thank you, Captain.
Tell the men to keep quiet.
Quiet! We're nearing the German lines.
Keep quiet and control the mules.
Larbi?!
Why?
Why? My God? Why?!
The Captain and Leroux are dead.
We've lost five men too.
You're in charge now.
It is your decision.
Either you help the Americans hold the line...
or you turn back.
Fetch the mule, we're going on!
We've lost the ammunition!
- He's right. - Silence!
We'll be the first French troops in Alsace.
If we manage to hold...
the American positions, believe me...
we'll get what we deserve.
You'll get nothing!
Haven't you realised yet?
I've just given my brother for France.
Enough!
Corporal, be reasonable!
Be reasonable!
You want to kill each other?!
Enough have died already!
Corporal, pull yourself together!
Our comrades are dead!
Thanks to God, we are alive!
Corporal, God bless your family.
He's right.
- There's no point any more. - What's wrong with you?
You want to be a Sergeant? Too late!
You don't understand anything!
We're doing our duty be going to Alsace!
Even if we pay 10 or 100 times this price.
We shall pay!
And they'll know us for it.
What's wrong with you?
Listen, Yassir...
You want to go home with nothing?
We see it through to the end.
Your brother, God rest him, won't have died for nothing.
Saïd, please go...
Bring back the mule.
Don't argue anymore.
It's over now. Go quickly.
Come here...
Come, my beautiful...
Come...
Don't make this difficult.
I'm tired...
Be good.
I can't run after you...
For the love of God!
Yassir, round the back!
The French!
You're alone? Where are the others?
We'll defend the position, Staff Sergeant.
We'll hold it until the Army arrives.
I would have done the same...
...Corporal.
I have to go see to the men.
I hope that you die.
Sergeant...
Staff Sergeant!
You'd never know there was a war on..
What are we doing here?
After the war, you will stay in the army,
You'll rise up the ranks and become a Sergeant.
I don't want to be a Sergeant!
Some have the right to it, others don't.
God forgets me for the moment.
Have you ever given an order to anyone?
Never.
Tell me honestly
Will we survive this?
Listen, Saïd...
We've always survived...
together.
Did you forget that?
We are in God's hands.
Thank you, Madame.
Enjoy your meal, gentlemen.
Thank you, Madame.
Who can live in this cold?
The French!
Can I fetch milk for the children?
Does she give a lot of milk?
Two or three buckets.
Want to try?
Sure...
You're never afraid?
Sometimes I am.
But tonight I'm not afraid.
Lord God...
I declare that there is no God but Allah...
- I'll get Martinez. - Wait, Saïd.
Listen to me...
Messaoud is dead.
Be careful, my brother.
Wait...
Yassir!
Cover us!
1, 2...
Go!
Sarge, get up!
Get up!
Come on!
Yassir!
Cover me, I'm coming!
Get out! Hurry!
Come on, let's go!
Move yourself!
Get up! Get up!
Get up for pity's sake!
Brothers...
I'm with you!
Don't shoot!
Okay.
Don't stop! Keep going! Forward!
Colonel...
Colonel!
- Stop! - Let me see the Colonel.
- What? - Let me speak to him.
- See your Sergeant. - He's dead. Captain too.
So where's your unit?
I don't have one. They're all dead.
Sergeant!
You needed a Corporal? Here's one.
Get your pack and follow us.
Look over here!
The French forces free Alsace.
This way!
Smile!
60 years later
In 1959, a law was passed to freeze the pensions of soldiers
from former French colonies about to become independent.
In 2002, after endless hearings,
the French government was ordered by Europe
to pay the pensions in full.
But successive governments
have refused to pay.
English subtitles by heaver for Fileheaven