LE PISTONNE (THE MAN WITH CONNECTIONS).

France, 1969, 90 minutes, Colour.
Guy Bevos.
Directed by Claude Berri.

Le Pistonne is a seemingly lightweight comedy about National Servicemen in training and in Algeria. It treats its issues with the light, human (and humorous) touch although, at the end, it, makes its point about the futility of war and its risks. The plot concerns a young actor who tries to use connections to get his National Service near Paris. Naturally, he doesn't and many of the consequences are predictable but presented so well that the audience always enjoys them. Hence the film is, on the surface, deceptive. Claude Berri is noted for his gentle treatment of more serious themes in The Two of Us and Marry Me.

1. Was this a comedy? How serious was it? Did it try to make a point?

2. What kind of young man was the hero? Was he heroic'? Was he a 'typical' young man? Was he interesting?

3. How talented was he?

4. How strong were his relationships with his girlfriend, his parents, friends?

5. Why were 'connections' stressed? Was this the target of some satire? How naive was the hero?

6. How were the sequences of the beginning of training and the training itself done? Were they for or against such national service?

7. Why did the hero try to impress the officers with his friendship with Brigitte Bardot?

8. What was the style of military life in Algeria? Was it important in this film that these recruits did not see any military action? Why?

9. Why did the hero become a medico?

10. What was the point of the hero meeting the maimed friend at the end?

11. Had the hero been made a man by his service experiences?

12. Was the national service a waste of time? Should it be asked of everyone?