La Tregua (The Truce) (1997)

53% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
61% of users liked it
(520 ratings)

Italian chemist turned author Primo Levi was interred at Auschwitz during WW II until 1945. Following his release, he returned to his native Turin and penned the wrenching autobiographical account of life in the concentration camp If This Is a Man. In 1962, he wrote a companion book, The Truce, a… More Italian chemist turned author Primo Levi was interred at Auschwitz during WW II until 1945. Following his release, he returned to his native Turin and penned the wrenching autobiographical account of life in the concentration camp If This Is a Man. In 1962, he wrote a companion book, The Truce, a chronicle of his hellish nine-month journey from the camp to Turin. Both books are crucial entries in the history of the Holocaust. This careful adaptation of the second book took filmmaker Francesco Rosi 10 years to make. Levi's trek begins when shortly after the Germans leave, four Russian horsemen ride up and tear down the gates of Auschwitz. Levi is quickly aboard one of the first outbound trucks. Over the next few months, he goes to many different countries, and along the way he meets and is befriended by assorted fellow travelers. Through them, his appreciation of life and freedom slowly returns, but with it also comes a deep rage and an abiding guilt at having survived, a guilt that may have led Levi to suicide in 1987. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 5 min.
Directed By: Francesco Rosi
Written By: Mario Benedetti
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1997 Wide
On DVD: Jun 3, 2003
Studio: Miramax

Critic Reviews

Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
It fails to find a way of capturing the fine moral discriminations inherent to Levi's prose.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
While The Truce tells a story that is occasionally compelling and disturbing, the film feels like it has been sanitized.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
Turturro gives what may be the screen performance of his career.
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
This is the kind of flawed yet magnificent work that only a great filmmaker can conjure up.
Stanley Kauffmann, New Republic
Despite all that Rosi and Turturro can do, the Levi we look at and listen to is not near the Levi we know.
Ed Scheid, Boxoffice Magazine
Contains too many characters and scenes that are familiar from other films set in the same period.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Bears witness to the courage, patience, and resiliency of Holocaust survivors. It is another chapter in the film recreation of the nightmare of World War II.
, E! Online
Despite experiencing some of the most barbaric treatment in recorded history, Levi chooses to believe in life, hope and that the better angels of our natures will ultimately prevail.
Liz Braun, Jam! Movies
The film cannot replicate what Primo Levi put on the page and this tale of a man's rebirth is often, on the screen, slow and meandering.
Brian Webster, Apollo Guide
It doesn't smack you in the face with a powerful message, but instead works its way inside you more gradually.
Harvey S. Karten, Compuserve
Turturro's toned-down performance is contrasted with the vivacious presentation by the large ensemble, allowing us to watch the hero's transformation from a near-zombie to a life-affirming human being.
Maria Garcia, Film Journal International
What makes Primo Levi so special is not apparent in Rosi's film, because Levi never comes alive for us.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Primo Levi's autobiography.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Walter M

[font=Century Gothic][color=blue]"Or(My Treasure)" is a movie from Israel about teenaged Or(Dana Ivgy) and her mother Ruthie(Ronit Elkabetz). At the beginning of the movie, Or is picking up her mother at a hospital where she has been treated for depression. Due to… More
[font=Century Gothic][color=blue]"Or(My Treasure)" is a movie from Israel about teenaged Or(Dana Ivgy) and her mother Ruthie(Ronit Elkabetz). At the beginning of the movie, Or is picking up her mother at a hospital where she has been treated for depression. Due to Ruthie's problems, of which there are many, Or has taken on the duties of breadwinner for the household - collecting empty bottles for refunds in the morning; working in a neighborhood restaurant in the evening. As you can imagine, this leaves little time for school and Ruthie is not really aware what affect her behavior is having on her daughter. Or is at an age when she is starting to take control of her life and is beginning to become familiar with the opposite sex.[/color][/font] [font=Century Gothic][color=#0000ff][/color][/font] [font=Century Gothic][color=#0000ff]"Or(My Treasure)" is a worthy examination of life on the economic edge with excellent performances. But there are questions that are not answered - like how long has Ruthie been like this? Plus, there is a decision late in the movie that I just don't believe. [/color][/font] [font=Century Gothic][color=#0000ff][/color][/font] [font=Century Gothic][color=#0000ff][color=darkslategray]"The Two of Us" starts out in Nazi-occupied France in 1943, just as young Claude attempts to shoplift a toy tank or two.(He would have been better off stealing a real one...) Claude is Jewish and his father dearly wants his son to keep himself out of trouble so as not to attract undue attention. Since there is also bombing going on, the parents decide to send Claude to the country to spend time with a friend's father for safekeeping. The catch is that the old man is a virulent anti-semite and Claude cannot give away that he is Jewish.[/color][/color][/font] [font=Century Gothic][color=#0000ff][/color][/font] [font=Century Gothic][color=#0000ff][color=#2f4f4f]"The Two of Us" is a funny touching coming-of-age movie about a very serious subject. As an added plus, there is a degree of complexity surrounding the old man - he is an unapologetic bigot but he also has a heart of gold but it turns out that Claude is actually much wiser than his aged host.[/color][/color][/font] [font=Century Gothic][color=#0000ff][/color][/font] [font=Century Gothic][color=#0000ff][color=black]"The Truce" is based on Primo Levi's autobiographical telling of his journey back from Auschwitz after it has been liberated by the Soviet army to his native Italy. Along the way, he encounters various characters who are either returning to their homelands or trying to return to their old lives. [/color][/color][/font] [font=Century Gothic][color=#0000ff][/color][/font] [font=Century Gothic][color=#0000ff][color=#000000]On the plus side, "The Truce" is about a part of history that is rarely focused on - the repatriation of refugees after World War II. It is also quite nice looking. However, the movie is hardly subtle. Yes, we realize the significance of Auschwitz being liberated, so we don't need the orchestral flourishes to emphasize this.(And yes I thought the four horsemen was laying it on a bit much.) Also, John Turturro really seems like a supporting player when the movie should be about his character and he is often upstaged by Rada Serbedzija playing a rakish Greek citizen, also heading home. [/color] [/color][/font]