Overview
In a world torn by conflict, love finds a way amidst the chaos of war.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- brooding
- paranoid
- intimate
- serious film night
- political cinema viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Godard's politically charged romantic thriller as a formally inventive and uncompromising examination of the Algerian War and French torture.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Bruno Forestier and Veronica Dreyer belong to opposing terrorist factions during the Algerian War yet become romantically involved.
The plot and dialogue directly engage French colonialism, Algerian independence, and torture.
Bruno is suspected of being a double agent while resisting demands from his right-wing organization.
Godard's politically engaged direction combines austere staging with dialogue-driven reflection and disruptive thriller conventions.
Films like Le Petit Soldat, and why
The Little Soldier
shared french new wave formal experimentation, political conflict, and romantic tension
The Battle of Algiers
shared anti-imperialism, morally compromised protagonists, and politically charged romantic drama
Breathless
shared french new wave style, alienated lovers, and philosophical crime tension
The Conformist
shared political thriller elements, ideological conflict, and austere romantic fatalism
Movie Details
- Director
- Jean-Luc Godard
- Release Date
- 1963-01-25
- Runtime
- 87 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (187)
Cast
- Michel Subor
- Anna Karina
- Henri-Jacques Huet
- Paul Beauvais
- László Szabó
- Georges de Beauregard
- Gilbert Edard
- Jean-Luc Godard
Common questions
- What is Le Petit Soldat about?
- A politically divided French agent and a left-wing militant fall in love while suspicion and torture close around them during the Algerian War.
- What is Le Petit Soldat like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Le Petit Soldat as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Le Petit Soldat violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Le Petit Soldat as graphic.
- What did critics think of Le Petit Soldat?
- Critics broadly regard Godard's politically charged romantic thriller as a formally inventive and uncompromising examination of the Algerian War and French torture.
- Which films are like Le Petit Soldat?
- Films with a similar feel include The Little Soldier, The Battle of Algiers, Breathless, and The Conformist.
- How long is Le Petit Soldat?
- Le Petit Soldat runs 87 minutes.
