The Last Valley (1971) User Reviews (84)

Wintering in a paradisal vale in the Alps during the Thirty Years' War

[Wuchakk · 7/10 · 8 January 2012]

In 1643, during the horrible Thirty Years War in Europe, a band of ruthless mercenaries and a drifter discover a hidden vale, the last valley untouched by the horror. The drifter, Vogel (Omar Sharif), talks The Captain (Michael Caine) into wintering in the peaceful valley rather than pillaging it and raping/killing the villagers.

The first thing that makes a favorable impression with James Clavell's "The Last Valley" (1971) is the outstanding opening credits sequence with John Barry's magnificent score. Parts of the film have a dreamy, surreal quality, particularly the beginning and ending, which is reminiscent of the later "Apocalypse Now" (1979).

Caine is outstanding as a man so hardened by the horrors of war that he no longer even has a name, just "The Captain." He would perform a similar role in the underrated "The Eagle Has Landed" (1977), a stunning performance. The Captain's answer to everything was to simply kill, but now, in the valley, he has found peace and the warmth of love.

Sharif is also effective as the disillusioned Vogel. His reaction to the horrors of war has always been to run, but in the valley he also finds peace and love, and even, maybe, a family(?). The depth and seriousness of the story, including the dialogue of the characters touching on issues of war, loss, God, religion, ignorance, superstitions, love, hope, loyalty, duty, redemption, etc. Separates this from an ordinary war-adventure yarn.

It's also interesting to observe how people lived in a regular hamlet 400 years ago in backwoods Europe. It was not unusual for folks in such circumstances to live their entire lives within 10 miles or so from where they were born. Such people would likely be under-educated, superstitious, innocent, ignorant and narrow-minded all at the same time, and the film illustrates this.

Regrettably, there are parts that aren't pulled off very well. Some of the dramatic stagings and dialogues come off awkward here or there. These aspects perhaps needed more fine-tuning and this explains why critics originally panned the movie and why it fell into obscurity for decades.

Some have criticized the film for being anti-church or even anti-God. Actually the film's about the pursuit of God, truth, love and happiness in the face of the ultimate horror, war. And not just any war, a war that lasted three decades wherein innocent civilians - men, women & children - were needlessly slaughtered and whole cities burned to the ground, like Magdeburg, Germany, in 1631. The repugnance and terror of war caused The Captain to become a ruthless atheist, as he declares in one potent scene, and "tore the heart out of" Vogel, as revealed in another. But the last valley untouched by the never-ending conflict has given them both hope again.

Despite the obvious flaws the movie gets an 'A' for effort in my book. It is a special picture, oddly compelling, with nothing else like it. It successfully creates a small world of people some 400 years ago in a secluded vale in the paradisal wilderness of the Alps. A world you can get lost in for a couple hours.

The originality of the story and its profundities, not to mention the fine cast, performances and surreal aspects, lift the movie above a simple adventure yarn. It's unorthodox, enlightening, thought-provoking and ultimately moving. If you enjoy flicks like "Apocalypse Now" and "Runaway Train," films that attempt to go deeper than the run-of-the-mill action/adventure picture, then check it out. You'll continue to glean from it in future viewings. But, since this is a dialogue-driven movie, I recommend using the subtitles so you can understand the heavily accented dialogue.

The film runs 2 hours, 6 minutes, and was shot in Tyrol, Austria (Trins and Gschnitz and the Gschnitztal Valley).

GRADE: B+

The Last Valley (1971)

[taylor175 · 8/10 · 11 December 2010]

This for me has to be 1 of my favourite films for several reasons.Firstly it has quite a cast with Michael Caine, Brian Blessed, Omar Sharif etc etc,secondly it has 1 of John Barry's(James Bond, The Black Hole)finest scores!I have found out that he had an exceptional amount of time in which to compose the score after the final edit & produced a *MUST HAVE* score if your into your movie soundtracks(I have hundreds as I am a bit of a collector!).The movie was also shot in a remote isolated valley & all the buildings you see in the film were constructed by local craftsmen drafted in from the surrounding towns using traditional techniques as per the time period it portrays.This creates a totally convincing back drop to the filming & some of the shots of the valley are breath taking! My fondness of the film stems from early memories of it as a child.My Dad used his video(when video had only just come in!)for the 1st time to record this off TV late at night & in fact he still has that tape floating around somewhere!ha ha He was quite strict so I wasn't allowed to use the video for a start & definitely not allowed to watch this....but I used to sneak it on when me folks were out(shhhhush-don't tell him ha ha!). It is actually a very rarely aired movie & has not really been recognised for the depth & strength it portrays. I think it was way ahead of its time in terms of brutality.It was also marketed too high as a sort of Ben Hur, Spartacus epic.Those films had way more budget & far more scope in terms of the size of story line they were depicting - after all The Last Valley is just dealing with a small village community in a remote isolated valley where as Ben Hur is dealing with a whole Roman Empire theme!Never the less The Last Valley still has impact.The opening scene is still shocking 40years on!I think those scenes are the reason it does not get the air play as the violence & issues it deals with are so honest & truthful!This film pulls no punches!It will show you exactly how difficult 'Life' was in those times - its not got many soft edges.The rivalry between the various factions, their attempts to control & manipulate are bang on!The way the church in those days had the last word on everything!The way the land owners made sure that everyone was indebted to them to maintain control.The fact that if you sinned & were caught out - well the consequences were severe as in the ultimate price!Don't watch this film if you just want to see fantasy eye candy, but if you appreciate the truth & want a film that shows an honest appraisal of Life & times in the 16th Century Europe then it will not fail to deliver.It is full of irony, sub plots & intrigue.I am of course biased & as I have got older & my own wisdom has increased I see different things in it that I had not perceived before!It is a mature intellectual persons film.I must of seen it at least 30 times & it still delivers for me.

Take the time out to see it & see what you think. Cheers Jon ;0)

Excellent and spectacular epic film set in the 17th-century during ¨Thirty Years War¨

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 7 June 2004]

The movie is set during Thirty years war -1618 to 1648- epoch , finished with ¨Westfalia treatise¨. There had too much fights , destruction, hunger, deceases , the struggles between Catholics and Protestants were bloody and cruel , being dead thousands people .

The picture deals with a peaceable, hidden valley that has remained untouched by the war , there arrives some warriors who impose the terror at a pristine village : murders, rape , rampage, etc.

The good guys are Omar Sharif , Florinda Bolkan , Arthur O'Connell, while the bad and villain guys are Michael Caine , Michael Gothard, Brian Blessed , among others , everybody give awesome performances.

Colorful and appropriate cinematography by John Wilcox, Hammer's usual and it was shown in Cinerama venues, was the last film to use the Todd-AO system for principle photography . John Barry musical score is evocative and breathtaking . Intelligent writing based on a novel by Pick and magnificent direction by James Clavell (¨To Sir , with love¨ and ¨Where's Jack¨), also producer , however being an unfortunate flop.

Rating : Above average 7'5 .Well worth watching.

Doom Patrol

[robotman-1 · 16 July 2001]

This is a movie made during a time when writers, novelists, like Clavell and Crichton, were allowed to make their own films. What you have are literate, probing plots and stories, sometimes failed by low budgets or

lack of experience. With LAST VALLEY, there's an otherworldly quality to Clavell's work, steepled in strict historical fact; Clavell postulates a fantasy valley where humans live hidden from the brutality and horror of war; they are genetic angels, of a sort, but those in control are wise to the ways of a world ruled by knife. A band of soldiers, lacking a country or

home to call their home, caught in the hurricane of this war, stumble into a seeming Elysian Fields and begin to infect it with pragmatic survival and certain doom. The ways of human beings as a mass descend on the slight-populated community.

People criticize the film as dark, equating realism. Fact is, Clavell shows a contrast between the world Michael Caine, as the Captain, knows and is scarred by, and the hidden land in which beautiful women and children are protected, fed and safe. Caine's Captain has been a wanton butcher in the war, the murderer of women and children. Yet he only understands the quality of this paradise after he has nearly destroyed it.

The most telling sequences are those in which these men from outside the hidden land, knowing the damage they are causing to this one place where beautiful women can live unraped and men as equals, are forced to leave. The women in love with them wish to accompany them into the horror the men know. Caine, in particular, leaves his lover under a false sense of security, believing she will be safe. His heart-breaking understanding of this woman's loyalty to him, bred in her by a hidden land where love can be expressed devoid of force and tragedy, comes only in the end; his last touch with this lover is with a glove made of armor, outfitted for the killing he will do once he leaves the valley and rejoins the war.

There is probably the great performance of Caine's career up on screen in this film. Outside of GET CARTER, you'll never see Caine inhabit a role more fully. Even if the scope of the story gets away from Clavell at the end, and could have benefitted from the expanded format of SHOGUN say, this is a big-time view of a great actor in Caine and a literate script from Clavell that will, without doubt, remain fixed in the mind.

Rogue Times

[Tweetienator · 7/10 · 15 October 2017]

This is one of the few movies that play in the times of the so- called The Thirty Years' War, that was one of the longest and most destructive conflicts on Central European soil (1618-1648), around 8 million people died through war, hunger and illnesses like the Black Death.

I just remember Flesh and Blood (Rutger Hauer, director Paul Verhoeven in 1985) and recently Black Death (2010) with Sean Bean and Carice van Houten (ofc playing a sexy as hell witch) playing at these times of hardship.

The movie got two really great actors - Omar Sharif and Michael Caine and involves everything that the dark medieval times in our imagination evoke: war, religious superstition, witchcraft, witchhunt, death, the Black Death.

The story: a band of mercenaries occupies a from war untouched valley and peacefully coexist with German Catholic villagers, but the balance is very delicate and the Captain, leader of the mercenaries, must rule with an iron fist and his and the wits of a teacher to keep the peace, as the peaceful coexistence is endangered by the power struggle with a fanatic Catholic priest and the richest landowner in the valley, and the greed of his soldiers.

The movie looks a little dated but the story and the good acting make this one a little, maybe forgotten gem. If you like the other mentioned movies this one is definitely a movie for you.

"Ve ALL love you, Freddie!"

[clivey6 · 6/10 · 13 March 2010]

Touted on IMDb as a lost gem, as you know this is set in Germany in the 1600s, during the 30 Years War, where Protestants are fighting Catholics and death and destruction is commonplace. It stars Omar Shariff as a wanderer who happens upon this idyllic valley hidden from the rest of the world, and a bearded but still handsome Michael Caine as the head of a bunch of mercenaries who've seen their share of fighting and massacre.

James Bond composer John Barry does the score and there's an early prototype of Moonraker's Space March as the main war theme, though Space March is more melodic to my ears. I know Barry can do no wrong supposedly, but it does seem to be that he and Bond were a perfect match. In other films his signature style is often distracting and the romantic theme of this film, used repetitively and sometimes inappropriately, is intrusive and pretty corny.

Caine has an early protype too - the "Ve ALL love you Freddie" German accent he would adopt 15 years later in the comedy Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. It's pretty iffy and unintentionally comic at times, he's the only one who bothers with a German accent, perhaps to take away the London wideboy. "You're only supposed to sack the bloody church!"

The film didn't quite grab me. For a start, it's odd that Omar Shariff should be fleeing a plague pit and soldiers for only 2 minutes before stumbling upon this idyll. The valley doesn't seem too hidden to me, and if it is, how come the other soldiers found it at the same time? The happy and lovely aspects of the village passed me by, as the inhabitants - especially the women - had that neurotic German temper and look characteristic of the Luthran era, if you believe historian Kenneth Clark's take on it. The Lost Horizon did all this much better.

Still, it's a noble and unusual idea, just let down by unintentionally risble moments. It only really picks up when there's a bit of discord, which runs counter to the film's message.

They Must Have Thought It Was Armegeddon

[bkoganbing · 10/10 · 29 April 2007]

The Last Valley, a serious historical and sociological drama, is just about the only English language feature film to deal with the Thirty Years War. It's about a valley that because of its inaccessibility escapes some of the ravages of that very brutal conflict.

17th century Europe was the century of the great religious conflicts between Catholic and the many Protestant faiths. The Catholic Hapsburg Holy Roman Empire was gradually losing its grip on more and more of the various little domains that made up their empire. More rulers and the populations of those small kingdoms were converting to either Lutheranism or Calvinism.

Of course the rest of Europe was concerned as to who would come out on top and from 1617 when the conflict first started, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, France, Spain, just about everybody got involved one way or another. Religion was the key factor, but hardly the only one. France because her prime minister Cardinal Richelieu feared the Hapsburgs more than Protestantism allied themselves with the Protestant rulers.

The war itself was fought mostly in Germany, not Germany the nation, but Germany the geographical expression, just a place where the German language predominated. The German people, weak and disunited, were just prey for the other invading powers.

The looting and pillaging you see here is exactly what was going on in 1641 when scholar Omar Sharif who had lost his entire family and home to the war is now reduced to being a wandering beggar and stumbles into this valley which has escaped the struggle. Unfortunately following him in is Michael Caine with a company of mercenaries.

But Sharif talks Caine into doing winter quarters there instead of just sacking the place and moving on as per the norm for the day. An uneasy alliance is formed between, Sharif, Caine and his soldiers, head honcho in the town Nigel Davenport and priest Per Oscarsson.

The peasants here are hardly a noble lot, Sharif's very education makes him a figure of suspicion. Yet they're just ordinary folks trying to survive in a world that they must think is coming to an end. It would have not been out of the ordinary for them to believe that what they were seeing was Armegeddon.

The Thirty Years War is not something that is taught in American schools. I think because the United Kingdom was not involved in it. they had a nice struggle going between the crown and Parliament in the first half of that century and what became the original thirteen colonies of America were all being settled by various immigrant groups. The Last Valley is a tremendous educational tool for anyone teaching European history. We don't see any of the great figures of the war, what we do see is a glimpse into the peasant life of the period that once seen is unforgettable.

James Clavell who later wrote and directed Oriental epics like Shogun and Taipan wrote and directed The Last Valley. He and the rest of the cast and crew should be proud of being involved in a cinema masterpiece.

Good War Drama

[socrates4 · 7/10 · 1 April 2020]

THE LAST VALLEY tells a good story that happens to be a bit of history that we seldom hear about or see in films. It is about a war called the Thirty Years' War. You may have heard of it, but few know what it was all about.

Just watch this film and you will get a better understanding. But don't watch it just to learn something. It is entertaining too! Recommend.

Memorable movie with excellent production values.

[manxman-1 · 9/10 · 23 October 2002]

The bad news is the critics savaged this movie when it first came out -everything from Michael Caine's German accent, to Omar Sharif's bedroom eyes to James Clavell's lyrical "Lost Horizon" take on the Thirty Years' War in Europe. The good news is that audiences loved the movie and each generation that rediscovers it recognizes what a terrific movie it really is. Fleeing from both the Black Plague and a savage, unending war, Omar Sharif stumbles onto a hidden valley in the Bavarian mountains, where everything is lush and untouched by outside influences. Then comes Michael Caine, leading a small band of savage mercenaries, who makes the valley his home for the Winter. Multiple themes of peace and war, religion and witchcraft. A well told story, gorgeous to look at, the valley itself is breathtaking. A haunting musical theme, a threatened love story, good action sequences, terrific acting, what more do you want? As happens all too often, the critics were wrong. Add this one to your video or DVD collection.

A genuine late night treat

[DaKlerge · 7/10 · 3 October 2009]

I inadvertently tripped over this movie, late at night, at the end of a long weekend work shift. And I have to say, it was so much better than the fare usually found at such hours that I was moved to log on and comment.

As most other commentors have stated, it has a near-unique setting for an English language movie in the Thirty Year's War (1618 - 1648), and does a reasonable job of communicating the feral quality of such a nebulous conflict. The central performances from Caine, Sharif and Davenport are each thoroughly engaging and entirely organic to the story, although the lack of a modern dialog/accent coach is keenly felt throughout, The direction, from Emmy winner James Clavell, is not quite up to the level of a Morricone or Huston, but more than competent considering the depth of story that is conveyed. The cinematography is both simple and elegiac without ever losing itself in Leanesque moments of hubris. Indeed, such lavish images may have detracted from what is ultimately a grubby tale of survival and necessity in seventeenth-century Europe.

If I have a quibble with this film it is in the editing. Whereas there may well be a substantially different or longer cut available than the ~1h45m version I saw, it nevertheless seems to lack a consistent pace in the tale-telling. Minor scenes are given just as much screen time and weight as seemingly decisive plot moments. Even though this is indicative of the heritage of the film's production (early-70s British-made, Yank-financed films with their tendency to cinema-verité values) it nevertheless makes for a slightly more difficult watch than should be absolutely necessary. Plus, it seemed to me, on first viewing at least, that a whole lot of good movie ended up on the cutting-room floor.

In summary, certainly worth a watch. Probably two, especially if a decent widescreen version is available. And if a "director's cut" ever came out, I'd buy it.

Extremely intelligent, well-made historical film

[mcnpauls · 9/10 · 27 August 2001]

It's a mystery why this film is not better known. It has a magnificent cast; a fascinating setting, a fine script and it is superbly filmed in its European locations. As a microcosm of European society at the time of the 30 Years War it is impressively erudite, yet it is also a highly accessible epic drama, even if you are not particularly interested in the historical background.

Review

[brockfal · 6/10 · 15 July 2021]

An iconic film from my early teens, this is hardly ever seen, and viewing The Last Valley (on YouTube) after almost 40 years, it still looks great and is at times impressive, but some obvious failings stand out such as a rather confused weak plot and obvious mis-castings, such as Michael Caine. It's by no means a failure and is worth a watch.

Holy wars revisited

[n_r_koch · 5/10 · 20 January 2007]

It's a bit long and drags in the second half, but it's worth seeing for Caine and for the unusual setting: how many films in English are set in early 17c Germany? Caine is the captain of a multinational band of mercenaries who stumble upon Eden-- the only valley in Germany left untouched by war and plague-- and decide to stay a while. Sharif plays the educated refugee who keeps looking appalled (he's also the proxy for the writer). It's all decked out realistically but it isn't really a re-creation of 17c. It's more like a modern writer's take on the 17c. In its conception the Catholics are blind idol-worshipping fanatics and the Protestants are wild idol-smashing fanatics and boys who see men shoot guns grow up to be killers. While all this is arguably true, it gets laid on a bit too thick. And it's planned out in scenes, just like a TV movie. But the photography and the locations in the Alps look great. And Caine is believably, and occasionally hilariously, German.

An under-known and under-appreciated film.

[rogerdarlington · 28 October 2017]

Over my many years of cinema-going, I've viewed a whole range of movies with titles beginning "The Last .." including "The Last Emperor" (1987) and "The Last Samurai" (2003). "The Last Valley' may not be the best-known film with this kind of title, but it made an impression on me when I first saw it at the cinema in 1971 and still resonated with me when I viewed it again on DVD some 46 years later.

It is partly the unusual historical context: the story is set during the repeated bloody clashes of Catholic and Protestant armies largely in German-speaking continental Europe in the Thirty Years War of 1618-1648 and reference to a particular battle in a line of dialogue places the period more precisely in late 1643 and early 1644. It is partly the important subjects that it addresses: the narrative is a sharp critique of the role of religion and superstition in fostering hatred and war and the leading character eventually shouts at the local priest: "There is no Hell. Don't you understand? Because there is no God. There never was. Don't you understand? There is no God! It's a legend!".

This British film was written, produced and directed by James Cavell before he became famous for his blockbuster novels. The 17th century village in question was recreated in the valley of Trins in the beautiful Tyrol region of Austria. The Catholic villagers who live there may look rather too clean and well-clothed for the period but the mainly Protestant soldiers who occupy the valley certainly look the part. The music is from John Barry who had made his name with the early James Bond movies.

At the heart of the story is the changing fortunes of the characters as they are subject to competing sources of power: civil authority in the shape of the head villager Gruber (Nigel Davenport), religious dogma provided by the village priest Father Sebastian (Per Oscarsson), military authority imposed by a character known only as The Captain (Michael Caine), and the voice of reason and tolerance offered by the academic refugee Vogel (Omar Sharif). In the course of the story, each will have his moment of triumph but each will suffer grievously in this under- known and under-appreciated film.

Intriguing

[Leofwine_draca · 6/10 · 21 September 2018]

THE LAST VALLEY is an intriguing and atypical medieval film that explores some of the confusion and chaos of the Thirty Years War era. The setting is an idyllic valley, where a bunch of religious folk and soldiers are holed up in a bid to escape the slaughter, but of course it doesn't all go according to plan. This is one of those films, much like Verhoeven's later FLESH + BLOOD, that explores the morality of the era, in particularly the clash between varieties of Christianity and the harshness of the times. The remarkable cast includes an effective Michael Caine and a sensitive Omar Sharif, their central roles bolstered by interesting character actors including Nigel Davenport and Michael Gothard. It's not an easy watch, and it doesn't have all the answers, but it is worth a look.

A Sweeping Historical Drama that Stands the Test of Time

[jeremeydavis · 7/10 · 28 March 2021]

The Thirty Years War is a dramatic period not often covered in cinema, and although some aspects of the movie are dated it does a very good job of presenting the era in a moving way. The movie touches on almost all of the key points that mark the era, even if sometimes presented as over-the-top caricatures or shallow stereotypes. Ravaging armies, plague and famine have decimated the land, pursuing political goals under the guide of religious conflict, with the hapless peasants stuck in the middle. The tension between the various Christian groups is highlighted, even if the dialogue rarely gets more creative than screaming "Heretic! Devil worshipper!" at each other. The religiously and ethnically mixed mercenary company is also representative of the period. Costumes and weapons vary widely from reasonably historical 17th century, to medieval or even pure Hollywood fantasy. Around three-quarters of the way through I felt it started to drag, but by the time the movie was over I was overall very emotionally satisfied with the experience.

The feel-bad movie of the year...I'm not exactly surprised this movie lost money!

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 12 December 2020]

"The Last Valley" was an epic disaster when it as released. ABC Pictures pinned a lot of its hopes and finances on this movie by featuring it initially on Cinerama and Wide Screen theaters, though it turned out to be a gigantic money-loser. So, they tried showing it in standard theaters...and it was still a money losing production. Why? Well, you can't blame the music (John Barry's score is lovely), the nice cinematography nor the acting (it did star two big-name actors of the era). So why did the movie fail to connect with audiences?

The answer has got to be the subject matter and overall tone of the story. It was only the second major production about the 30 Years War...and the first to deal with it directly. This is about a horrible conflict in the early 17th century in which Protestants and Catholics murdered each other in Central Europe (mostly in what is present day Germany). Unlike many wars, there were large armies involved but also small mercenary bands and even neighbors killing neighbors...all in the name of God. And, estimates are that during this war lasting approximately three decades, 1/3 to 2/3 of all the people in this region were killed. So you can't help but think a movie about this time and place would have to be horrible to watch and endure...and audiences seemed to agree.

The story begins with one of these mercenary groups murdering folks in small towns with no regard to who is on which side...it's just killing for the sake of killing and to steal the peasants' food. A homeless traveler, Vogel (Omar Sharif), comes upon the massacre and manages to escape. After a long trek, he stumbles into a valley that has somehow managed to avoid the death, destruction and starvation of war. But Vogel's happiness at finding this is short-lived, as soon the same group of mercenaries arrives in this idyllic Catholic town.

Now based on earlier encounters, and that most of the mercenaries are Protestants, that these men would destroy the village. Instead, however, its commander (Michael Caine) has decided not to but instead to remain there with his troops over the winter. The locals aren't thrilled, but perhaps these soldiers could offer the town protection and an odd but shaky truce results. What's next?

The film is very, very well made. My only complaints were about the casting. While Michael Caine wasn't bad as a Germanic commander, it did seem very odd to have the Egyptian actor Omar Sharif playing Vogel. After all, Vogel is a German name and you find out he used to be a professor at one of the German universities....but Sharif looks Egyptian and definitely not a European. I think he was chosen simply because he was a hot commodity in films, having made a huge name for himself in the 1960s with "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Dr. Zhivago".

So why did I give the film a 7 if it's so well made? After all, I couldn't have knocked off too many points for casting Sharif. Well, it lies in the fact that watching the movie is so incredibly unpleasant and awful. The overall tone of the film is nihilistic and dark...and I cannot imagine many folks wanting to see such a production. Plus, I can almost guarantee no one would want to see the film more than once! It's well done, interesting and utterly awful to watch....so it's no wonder other films haven't been made about this god-awful conflict.

Superb examination of the interaction between peasants and soldiers

[KFL · 9/10 · 20 December 2001]

As others have said, a really excellent film--intelligent, well-shot and acted, with historical background that mostly seems to be right on the money.

A few minor nits: I'm not sure that the Caine character, or most anyone, would be shouting "there is no God!" in the 1630's or 40's. And the humanism espoused by the Sharif character must have been quite rare in that day and age. Also, the ending is perhaps a bit heavy-handed in the way it drives home the moral of the story, about the pointlessness of warfare.

But all this is more than balanced by an intelligent screenplay and a highly engaging analysis of the dynamic between the peasants of the village and the soldiers. Reminded me quite a bit of The Seven Samurai, in fact, and compares well with the latter film (and *that* constitutes high praise).

Highly recommended.

Accurate historical piece but boring

[rehedgehog · 6/10 · 19 July 2006]

I was a bit surprised by all the positive feedback this film received. While it is a well-produced film in terms of costumes and cinematography it lacks in storyline. The narrative is too fragmentary to be entirely cohesive. Perhaps Clavell was attempting to convey the sudden power shifts and chaos that actually characterize war but on screen in comes across as incomplete. Also the characterizations are inconsistent. For example at the end of the film Michael Caine's character returns to the valley suddenly remorseful and war weary. It seems like a tacked on ending without the necessary character development that would lead a viewer to understand his change of mind. Most noticeably this film has too much dialogue with characters explaining their views of the situation. The dialogue was stale most of the time. That's why I thought this film was rather boring.

Unforgettable movie

[hkfilmbuff · 9/10 · 9 January 2014]

Watched this when I was in college. The brutality and hypocrisy of man just hit you like a ton of bricks. The cinematography was breathtaking, even though most of the images were drab, grimy, and dark. It was not a pleasant experience, but eye-opening; and it is for this reason that even though I bought a copy of the DVD about 10 years ago, I have not been able to bring myself to watch it again.

As pointed out by others, John Barry's score was out of this world. At the time, I had only known him for the James Bond movies, then he gave us his masterpiece: "Out of Africa". He is right up there together with Maurice Jarre and Michel LeGrand. Coupled with the animated opening credits, it was the one jewel in the film that I don't mind watching again and again.

A solid cast: Michael Caine and Omar Sheriff, and the beautiful Florinda Bolkan. Director James Clavell is very talented, recognized his name in the opening credits when I watched the movie - having just read his novels "Tai- Pan" and "King Rat".

Not for the faint of heart.

The Last Valley

[CinemaSerf · 7/10 · 29 May 2023]

It might be possible 50 years on, to make the casting choices work that James Clavell tried to do with this. Back in 1971, however, casting Omar Sharif as the teutonic "Vogel" opposite Michael Caine's only marginally more convincing "Captain" really does stretch the imagination a little too much. Add arch-Englishmen Nigel Davenport ("Gruber") and Brian Blessed ("Korski") and you have a recipe for characterisation disaster. Though well produced, with plenty of attention to detail and a typically strong score from John Barry, that is what we get! It is set amidst the bitter and rancorous 30 years war - maybe not an historical event known to many in Germany, let alone anywhere else - and has the ingredients of a good action drama. Armies, villagers - even individuals fight over the roles of their churches in their lives - Protestant v Catholic - a story of battling traditions that should have been far more engaging and enthralling. Clavell's adaptation of his own novel keeps the story tight and it is action-packed - it just doesn't ever catch fire. At just over the two hour mark, it is a long watch with those at the top of the bill looking out of place. They just don't gel at all well at any stage. Pity - this story of religious intolerance (on both sides) should have made for a good film topic. Just not this one, so much.

Little known gem

[NEIL-213 · 10/10 · 18 May 2007]

I first watched this film on TV 20 years ago while in my teens and loved it.And after watching it 20 years later i love it and understand it even more.

From the the opening titles you just know this must have been a labour of love for both director and actors.With a wonderful score that would have an Oscar in a David Lean film, this film has everything.

The total horror of the pillaging of a village at the beginning showed the the barbaricy of the times,compared to many historical films in which brutal deaths occurred mainly on battlefields.

The acting is superb Michael Caine pulling off being a character who can be both compassionate and brutal.His final speech showing that in different times his true nature is closer the former than the latter.The main surprise in this film to me was Omar Sharif who played the part best described as a sane man in an insane world,for me this is the greatest performance he has ever given.

This film is more relevant than it has ever been showing the futility of war between religions.

Waste of talent

[hou-3 · 2/10 · 2 November 2016]

This film suffers from a triple whammy of mediocrity, since James Clavell features as writer, director and producer. It is hard to say in which capacity he did the worst job, but I have to go for writing, because the script is unbearably clunky throughout. The complexities of the Thirty Years are simplified which is fair enough, but the result simply lacks any tension, dynamism or electricity.

What is particularly sad is that Clavell's two leads, Caine and Sharif, had recently starred in movies which offer the viewer so much, viz Zulu and Zhivago. Why could Clavell not learn something about effective script-writing from those two masterpieces?

The acting style, a weird mix of the deadpan and hysterical, was parodied to death in the Monty Python films and needs no further comment. All in all, the movie is best consigned to the dustbin.

Great movie!

[rp-j · 10/10 · 31 August 2003]

My fiancee has mentioned this movie to me often. However, she only picked up a DVD of it a few days ago. I just watched it with her, and must say that it is one of the best films I have come across in some considerable time. The cast are all in top form, James Clavell's direction is top notch, and it is one of those films that leaves you with a lot to think about long after the end. Special mention should also be made of the excellent cinematography, and John Barry's fine score which must rank as one of his best.