The Last Valley – 1971 | 125 mins | Adventure, War | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Adapted from J.B. Pick’s novel, The Last Valley is a compelling tale of survival written, produced and directed by acclaimed novelist James Clavell, whose prolific screenwriting credits include To Sir, with Love (1967), 633 Squadron (1964) and The Great Escape (1963). Clavell’s fascinating historical epic deals with a paradise found and lost in the midst of a bloody war, and the senseless religious conflict that has long since degenerated into a rabble of looters preying on peasants. The film wanes during the clumsy battle sequences nes and awkward dramatic staging, but Caine’s complex characterisation of the guarded Captain and Sharif’s haunted performance keep the story vibrant. It flopped on release, often cited as an allegory for the Vietnam War and reportedly losing $7m, but this overlooked film is well worth investigating.

Set in 17th century Austria against the backdrop of the Thirty Years War of 1618-1648. A German scholar fleeing the marauding bands, Vogel (Omar Sharif), comes across a beautiful, peaceful Alpine village where the community lies unaffected by the war raging around it. When an exhausted army of ruthless mercenaries led by the pragmatic ‘Captain’ (Michael Caine) also discover the oasis, he is given the opportunity to lodge there for winter in return for protection.

The Captain and Vogel make an unlikely pair: a realist mercenary with the dream of peace, and the idealistic philosopher-peasant hanging on to his own life in the face of certain death Together their tenuous alliance is responsible for mediating a fragile peace in the valley until the army leaves to fight another battle in the spring, and the village tranquillity is shattered by greed, lust and religious fanaticism.