They Were Five
Now that the world conflict is over, five inseparable wartime buddies swear eternal friendship now to each other. But there's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip. Jean becomes a postman, Marcel a boxer, Roger an actor, André a student and Philippe remains what he has always been, a young man of good social standing. Roger, who can't find any role, is introduced through his singer sister Valérie, to Frédo, a shady nightclub owner.Roger soon becomes one of Frédo's henchmen. To make matters worse, he swipes Jean's fiancée, Simone. Marcel, who loses fight after fight, ends up joining Fredo's gang as well. André, who wanted to redeem the faults of his father during the Occupation, gets killed in the Indochina war. Marcel is shot down while taking part in a robbery. In her turn, Valérie is bumped off by an accomplice of Fredo and Roger is sent to jail.
Insights
Plot Summary
Five former friends, united by a pact made during the war, reunite years later to fulfill a promise. However, their reunion becomes complicated as old resentments and secrets surface, testing the bonds of their friendship. The film explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of past actions.
Critical Reception
Upon its release, 'They Were Five' received a mixed reception. While some critics praised its dramatic intensity and strong performances, particularly from Jean Gabin, others found the plot to be somewhat predictable and melodramatic. Audience reactions were also varied, with some appreciating the character-driven narrative and others finding it less engaging than expected.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its strong lead performance by Jean Gabin.
- Noted for its exploration of wartime bonds and their subsequent strain.
- Some found the narrative a bit too conventional for the era.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews is not readily available for this older film.
Fun Fact
The film is a remake of the 1936 French film 'La Bandera' directed by Julien Duvivier, though 'They Were Five' focuses on a different narrative and context.
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