Sobra un hombre

I can't say this film is my most favorite in the cinema history. But definitely i can say-this movie is number one in my most wanted list. I never was so depressed and unlucky, as searching for this old and very nice french film by Costa-Gavras. I failed to find this film. I heard this film is lost. Strange. It was showed in many countries and i still hope. Maybe in some country, some people or organizations still have a copy of it. This is one of the best films by Costa-Cavras. And one of the best war thrillers of all time. I would be more then grateful, if anybody can tell any link, any tips or idea: where and how to find and see this movie again.

Ending 2015 by watching "Un Homme De Trop" is a great piece of luck, this Costa-Gavras still being invisible. I really don't understand why this exceptional war movie shot with absolute genius remains invisible. Be patient, it must get released one day, every powerful movie addicts must rediscover this fantastic and suspenseful war drama, fast-paced from beginning to end. How can we imagine "Un Homme De Trop" staying invisible for again thirty years when so many invisible but dull movies get released (well, there are some exceptions of course). But I believe in Costa-Gavras great reputation, this forgotten gem will soon have a fabulous come-back, it deserves it. The cinematography and editing are so brilliant, the action is tense and very fast-paced, the actors follow that dynamic direction. No particular principal character, just Resistance in the Cévennes mountains. I was so surprised by Brialy tense interpretation, like Cremer, Brasseur, Blain, Piccoli of course, and Vanel as the old timer. Only one woman, not really useful, but it is Julie Dassin, Jules's daughter. What a great day when it will be shown again on a giant screen.

Thank you for the following friends for being fan of this masterpiece : Philippe, Marc, Jean-Pierre and that unknown guy from south.

A group of French resistance fighters in France in 1943 battle the Nazis, and after rescuing 13 men from execution have to decide what to do when it turns out that one of the 13 may be a traitor to the resistance. Director Costa-Gavras' 1967 World War 2 action drama is at times fast paced, and has a good cast including Michel Piccoli, Charles Vanel and Bruno Cremer, as well as a slight vein of humour. Unfortunately despite little moments of skill these are somewhat drowned out by the rest of the contents of this rather boring and not particularly good film, with it's rambling narrative reading like a poor 'Boy's Own' war adventure, with characters rushing around frantically, and with noisy, confused action scenes consisting of lots of machine gun fire and explosions. Not exactly 'The Dirty Dozen', in fact this is a classic example of how not to make a war (or anti-war) film.

Being a Costa-Gavras fan this was the last film of him I never saw before. I only had my set of 24 lobby cards that really made me want to see it for almost 30 years. Exceptional cast, wonderful film. The camera work is outstanding and the "Gavras touch" is all over the film, he followed it with Z, L'AVEU and STATE OF SIEGE - all classics. UN HOMME DE TROP looks like a practice ground for those highly political films, and a very good one indeed.

Following his dazzling directorial debut with 'Compartiment Tuers' Costa-Gavras was approached by producer Harry Saltzman. The director professed a wish to film 'The Human Condition' by André Malraux but unsurprisingly Saltzman showed reluctance! Instead they settled on a film about the French Resistance based upon the novel by Jean-Pierre Chabrol who had served in the communist-led FTP maquis.

The plot concerns a group of Resistance fighters who have succeeded in their mission to help twelve men condemned to death by the Germans to escape from prison. Much to their surprise however there is a thirteenth! Is he a spy, a collaborator or a plant? As the pursuing Germans close in it is decided that he must be eliminated.........

The film boasts an impressive cast list including Jean-Claude Brialy and Gérard Blain who had first appeared together in Claude Chabrol's 'Le beau Serge' whilst veteran Charles Vanel again effortlessly steals most of his scenes. Bruno Cremer and Jacques Perrin both play roles not entirely dissimilar to those they had played in the excellent '317th Platoon' but the contrast between that film and this could not be greater. This is more gung-ho and derring-do with a bit of comedy relief thrown in. By far the most interesting part is the 'extra man' of the superlative Michel Piccoli. His character has been written not as a villain but in the director's words as 'a lost one who has chosen not to engage or take sides.' This obviously undermines the myth of the unified resistance of the French and no doubt contributes to the film's commercial failure. Perhaps Saltzman should have gone with the director's first choice!

The film itself never stops to draw breath, contains plenty of rapidly delivered dialogue and the thrilling action sequences had to be shot quickly by Jean Tournier as they only has one camera! Christian Gaudin's contribution towards the editing is particularly impressive.

Costa-Gavras' meticulous approach is never more apparent than in the concluding scenes on the Alés Bridge. The final shot, once seen, is unlikely to be forgotten.