Days Of Glory (Indigenes) DVD Review

Time and time again the Academy seems to prove that a sure-fire way to get a nomination, although rarely a win, is by making a World War II film. Internationally this is even truer, as Joyeux Noel was given a nomination the year prior to Days of Glory receiving a Best Foreign Film nomination. Nominations aside, these are also the type of films which seem to import to Hollywood easily. Whether Life is Beautiful or Das Boot, there is something internationally, perhaps universally appealing about war. Even more specific is our fascination with wars our country of origin was involved in, most recently dealing with allies and enemies, which leads me to believe it is far more than patriotism that makes these films appealing.

Saíd is living in Algeria during World War II with German occupation of France, and although men in his family have dies from war and he is persuaded to stay, he joins to free France. Unfortunately what he and other soldiers soon discover is that there is a great deal of discrimination among the soldiers. Even though they are able to fight alongside the French, the North African soldiers are often demeaned, insulted, and aren’t even given the same meals. Willing to die for France and unable to eat the same food as the French, this struggle is as prominent as the struggle against Nazi oppression in Days of Glory.

Even with all of the discrimination issues, when ultimately faced with the decision of continuing on to give support to troops and turning around when the higher ranking officers are killed, the North African soldiers are still loyal to France. They continue on alone and contribute in a way that would help win the war. They continue on to the village they are supposed to protect until more troops arrive, which is entirely their decision after their superiors are all killed or wounded. Together they decide to protect the village from the German soldiers, regardless of any credit they get.

For much of the film there is very little real war violence, and far more drama bringing us into the world of individual soldiers. We watch them fall in love, fight for equality, and find a mentor, but this all leads to a battle in which we know many of them will not survive. This stark final scene seems nearly unbelievable because after all of the time we have spent with the characters they are quickly dead not to return. The special features include a making-of documentary as well as a short film, The Colonial Friend.