Douglas is too American.

Rating: 6/10 (17 February 2006)

This is a very well made anti-war movie, however since the characters are all French I find Kirk Douglas' portrayal a real blight on the movie. An actor is supposed to do that act! Douglas just plays a modern (1950's) American guy trying to convince as a Frenchman from World War One with no hint of an accent. He comes across as overtly American, the sort who would be leading the invasion at Omaha Beach in WW2. In one scene he even quotes Franklin, an American Statesman - now no French Officer from WW1 would be quoting an American - he'd of course be quoting some Famous Frenchy, Voltaire for example. The movie does steer toward a powerful conclusion, I just wish that the central character was chosen on suitability not star power.