Beau Travail(1999) (Criterion Collection) UK Only [Blu-ray] [2020]

In what is perhaps her magnum opus French visionary Claire Denis presents a hypnotic and evocative examination of masculinity and repressed desire amid the dazzling vistas of Djibouti.The new Criterion UK Blu-ray release is excellent - the picture and sound quality are both phenominal and the extras are fascinating as always.

one of the best French foreign legion films made. A small detachment on duty in Djibouti, with just mind numbing routine. Excellent scenes, script and direction, as close to real life in the legion during the 1980's in an outpost. Enjoyed the whole brooding drama of men dealing with monotony, a must see for any Legion fan.

great movie

Interesting film, well choreographed and executed.

Pure cinema.

MET MY EXPECTATIONS OF THE FILMMAKER'S CELEBRATED WORK

I didn't know what to make of this film. I couldn't get to grips with it in the beginning as I'm used to a clear constructive narrative - being lead by the hand I suppose. This film doesn't do that. It uses all the French film techniques we are so used to and uses them well. There is in fact hardly any dialogue - just a voiceover of the main protagonist. I was about 80% through the film before the pieces started to fall into place. Then it made sense.The scenery is spectacular and the score perfect for the location. It is a wonderful exploration of a man's heart - his unvoiced feelings of jealousy for a man he loves and admires (his Legion superior) but perhaps does not know how to deal with or understand. He feels he is being usurped by a `newby' - and he may be right. It is not a comfortable film but it is very absorbing. Well worth watching.

This film is breathtaking, poetic, and beautiful. The cinematography is just so superb, as is the acting. There are English subtitles, but the first time I watched this film I left them off and let the film tell its own story, and it does have a powerful message about the destructiveness of jealousy. The final scenes are some of the most stunning I've ever seen.