Very little is mentioned about whether the movie was based on a true story. Does anyone have any information ?
shareThe movie was not based upon a true story. The very beginning of the movie--the attempted assassination on DeGaulle by the OAS at Petit-Clamart--that was true. And Colonel Bastien-Thierry was executed for his role in that attempt. But that is the only part of the movie that is based upon fact.
shareNot a true story, but - of course - when someone saw the book amongst what were assumed to be Ilich ('Carlos') Ramírez Sánchez's belongings, he ended up with the nickname 'The Jackal.'
Please do not make negative comments about a film YOU NEVER SAW. It makes you look stupid.
Shepherd's correct. The movie uses the historical background of the OAS (Secret Army Group) terror campaign against Charles de Gaulle, but the actual story is fictional.
If you're interested in learning about the OAS, I'd recommend Paul Henissart's book Wolves in the City: The Death of French Algeria. Alistair Horne's A Savage War of Peace covers it in some detail, too.
I guess this isn't the right economic climate for an expensive, poorly-trained visionary.
Hancock, thank you for the book recommendations. I'm going to read the Horne book, it gets a lot of praise and apparently may be better for those relatively new to the history of the Algerian conflict.
shareHorne's on the dense side, as he covers the war from every conceivable angle in some detail. Not a great "beginnner" book. Mind you, it's a great read if the subject interests you.
I guess this isn't the right economic climate for an expensive, poorly-trained visionary.
Ha, I read that Henissart's was very dense/detailed and not for newbies. Well I guess I'll find out about Horne.
shareHenissart's not a difficult read IMO, though he does assume background knowledge on Algeria and French politics which may discourage one from jumping right in. It's more of a narrative history than Horne though so I had an easier time with it. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts if you read either/both books.
I guess this isn't the right economic climate for an expensive, poorly-trained visionary.
Yes knowing the Henissart reader would be helped by having background knowledge on Algeria and French politics is what persuaded me to try the Horne book first. I found it interesting that apparently the Horne book was considered recommended reading for American military commanders in Iraq/Afghanistan and other regional theatres even though it obviously predates The Gulf War, 9/11, Syria, Libya, Egypt etc. Many things in it still apply to this day.
shareThank you for the book recommendations. I've read the novel by Frederick Forsyth but not the two books mentioned.
Send lawyers,guns and money/The *beep* has hit the fan
The BBC series Infamous Assassins did an episode on the OAS attempts against De Gaulle. If you have a half-hour to spare:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xi84pOQYoU
My only caveat is that it gives undue credence to alleged CIA involvement with the OAS. Alistair Horne debunks these theories fairly thoroughly in A Savage War of Peace. Still, that takes up 30 seconds of a 30 minute documentary.
"Do you know what lies at the bottom of the mainstream? Mediocrity!"
Hancock, I'm halfway through Horne's book, up to 1960 now, had some trepidations when I first started into it (thick book, tiny print, myriad characters) but fascinating, educational reading. Horrible brutal war, complicated politics inside and out.
shareIt took awhile for me to get into it. Once Horne gets out of the exposition he hits his stride. The sections about De Gaulle trying to extricate France from the war is fascinating stuff.
"Do you know what lies at the bottom of the mainstream? Mediocrity!"
Yes I was having reservations while getting into it but it was well worth hanging in there. I like Horne's style actually, and I'm getting an education in French words and phrases, and all the various players and events covered in this marvelous read. I'll never look at France, Algeria and De Gaulle the same now! I'll report back when I'm done with the book.
shareHi Hancock, finished Horne's book a while ago, great read about a subject I had not known much about other than a couple viewings of The Battle of Algiers film in the past. Of course with a now deeper understanding of the background behind the Algerian conflict I had to watch that film again right after finishing the book. I came away having a lot more respect for De Gaulle- an admiration for his statesmanship, his over-riding love for his country. He certainly seemed to have a handle on the pulse of the silent majority of France. Before, I saw De Gaulle as the pompous leader of the Free French during WW2, who saw a France of importance out of scale with reality. A pesky thorn in the side of the other Allied leaders. As an American I even have to give him some grudging respect for taking France in a different direction from the other Western powers. He was without doubt one of the great leaders and figures of the 20th Century. The Algerian conflict itself and its aftermath required a book of the length and depth of Horne's.
shareGlad to read your thoughts on Savage War, Tommy. I agree, it's a great book. Americans and Brits tend to bash De Gaulle (not entirely without reason), but I can't help thinking, say, an American president exhibiting his attitudes would be hailed as a visionary statesman. He was really caught between a rock and a hard place re: Algeria and probably handled the matter as well as anyone could have done.
I'm keen on reading Jonathan Fenby's recent biography of De Gaulle, if I have time. I gave up on Jean Lacouture's two-volume work, since I just didn't have time to devote to it.
"Do you know what lies at the bottom of the mainstream? Mediocrity!"
Yes, I read the Josef Joffe review of Fenby's De Gaulle bio in the NY Times Review of Books and wow it sounds like a great read. Love bios and history, so coupled with my new-found interest in De Gaulle will probably get into it eventually.
shareHancock and any others interested about De Gaulle- just finished the Jonathan Fenby bio "Charles De Gaulle and the France He Saved". What a man, and you can take that many different ways! I was very interested in learning more about him (and France) beyond the Algerian conflict and the usual things you read about him during WW2 with the Free French and found that Fenby did a good job of doing that while maintaining my interest. A worthy read. After finishing it I had to look up some of his televised speeches (on YouTube, unfortunately not subtitled in English) that I had read about which was interesting in itself. De Gaulle was a lot of things but he certainly was a one of a kind, unique player on the 20th century stage.
shareThanks for the comments Turtletommy. I bought the Fenby book awhile ago but never finished it. Maybe time to dust it off!
I'm afraid that you underestimate the number of subjects in which I take an interest!
The ending wasn't true!
I wasn't killed by Lebel for a start, after missing the President i managed to escape down the toilet bowl with seconds to spare. I now live incognito....sharing a stateroom on the Titanic with Marilyn Monroe!