Let's keep it simple : this movie has no special effects at all; few characters and just sheer intelligence to its credits. The story could be out of a "Twilight Zone" episodes : a translator receives coded messages in ancient languages, giving him orders he must obey to in order to save the whole planet. The suspense really grows up as this "simple mortal" has to fulfil increasingly difficult missions as a pawn in a galactic game.
Pierre Jolivet is maybe one of the best and most underrated filmmakers of its time, along with Spain's Julio Medem, and this straightforward, honest, thrilling movie is definitely a must-see for everyone who likes storytelling and characterisations better than expensive cheap (!) effects. Of course, being French, this movie was ignored by the mainstream critics and vilified by the specialised ones. One day, maybe, it will be given a second chance
Pierre Jolivet is maybe one of the best and most underrated filmmakers of its time, along with Spain's Julio Medem, and this straightforward, honest, thrilling movie is definitely a must-see for everyone who likes storytelling and characterisations better than expensive cheap (!) effects. Of course, being French, this movie was ignored by the mainstream critics and vilified by the specialised ones. One day, maybe, it will be given a second chance