algeria - 1954 - the start of the war for freedom
rebels rising up against the imperialist forces of france
viggo mortensen starring in this film in this place at that time
the telling opening shot across the harsh landscape and mountains
panning across and down to show a lone building in a small valley
inside that building daru (mortensen) is teaching a class of students
geography - the major french rivers - they attentive, he enthusiastic
a sense of respect in both directions as he addresses students by name
the class is dismissed and he wanders the harsh landscape with a gun
a bird shot, a meal prepared - this place is the home of this solitary man
next day a lone horseman arrives with a prisoner strung along behind
balducci is from a neighbouring area and his prisoner is a murderer
he informs daru he the insurgency is on the rise and needs to return
informing him he now needs to take the prisoner to be tried in court
this at a town a full day's hike away - daru refuses but is left with him
he decently provides food and a bed and has some initial conversation
mohamed confesses his crime - murdering his cousin who stole his grain
he the eldest of the family and an ancient honour system has kicked in
so too has modern law so mohamed turned himself in to avoid reprisals
the next day they begin their trek along a well worn path to the village
too many armed rebels on the path means a clamber into the mountains
a lone rider encountered there and rifle shots exchange at close range
the elderly rider killed with daru despairingly blaming his prisoner
screaming - your cowardice and weakness has meant another death
mohamed in turn then quietly stating he is neither weak nor a coward
the look on daru's face implies this resolute stand has impressed him
as the pilgrimage progresses mutual respect and friendship grows
they share water, survival skills and stories of their upbringings
daru born in a nearby village to visiting french aid-worker parents
affinity with locals and sympathies with both sides of the conflict
mohamed confessing to daru's surprise he has never had a woman
and in the laugh-out-loud moment of the film the sub-title to his question
contemplative pause and then - what's it like - unintentional but hilarious
the rains come down and an abandoned village is reached at nightfall
refuge taken there, a fire started and more companionable chatting
in the morning a gang of rebels ride up and take them prisoner
fortunately daru recognises daru from time spent in the french army
he pressing daru to make a choice between the locals and the invaders
which he refuses to do so remains a prisoner as they then walk off
soon enough they are ambushed with gunfire from a french unit
daru is put up as a hostage but to no avail and they are overwhelmed
most rebels are killed or escape and two are shot after surrendering
daru as an ex-major admonishes the captain for this war crime
once again demonstrating his integrity in the face of adversity
they are released and continue their trek via a small village
here daru organises a woman for mohamed and himself
he breaking down in her arms exclaiming it has been so long
admitting his loneliness since losing his wife 10 years prior
the now buddies reach the outskirts of their target town
daru points - thay way to certain death - that way a new life
encouraging mohamed to find refuge with the nomad arabs
mohamed himself saying daru will then be pursued for failing
daru turns and walks away - and turns to see mohamed walking
a smile on his face says it all as he then walks back to his school
full circle as he is seen teaching and an announcement to his class
this is my last day - as i told you one day i would be leaving
and so it is - superb ending to a thoroughly satisfying film
my respect and admiration for viggo mortensen remains...
