Jean Reno, Maurice Lamy, Pierre Jolivet

In the post-apocalyptic future, only a few humans are left. No one is able to speak; the film contains no dialogue, and characters communicate non-verbally. A determined loner befriends a reclusive ol...( read more  read more... )der man and these two battle against vicious thugs for food, shelter and life itself.

Flixster Users

74% liked it

238 ratings

Unrated, 1 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: Luc Besson

Release Date: April 6, 1983

Invite friends to see

Stats: 28 reviews

Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Your Rating



clear rating
Share on: Facebook Twitter

Flixster Reviews (28)


  • September 14, 2009
    Besson's debut of a silent post-apocalyptic earth is probably still his finest film to date. The black and white cinematography is sublime. Some of the compositions, with the strong contrasts, are the best in cinematic history. This is an amazing film, and I don't use that word t...( read more)oo often!
  • January 31, 2009
    Luc Besson's first work is also his first foray in science fiction, a genre to which he will return fourteen years later with "the Fifth Element" (1997). Even if this film was strongly influenced by Hollywood cinema, it is still highly enjoyable. Back in 1983, "le Dernier Combat"...( read more) reveals Besson's own approach of science fiction. He takes back a threadbare topic and his efforts are discernible to make a stylish work. Shot in widescreen and black and white, a disaster has destroyed virtually all the population from earth and we will never know what was this disaster and why men can't talk any more. Some barbarian hordes were formed. In parallel, a man (Pierre Jolivet) lives on his own and arrives in an unrecognizable Paris where he is received by a doctor (Jean Bouise).

    There are no words in Besson's work. The characters' actions and the progression of the events go through looks and gestures. Although the starting point and the backdrop are unnerving, the film has never the look of a despondent one. It seems that the man and the doctor try to reproduce gestures and actions linked to mankind before the disaster. The film opens with the man having sex with an inflatable doll. Later, the doctor tries to make him speak through a machine and he is a painter in his spare time. It's all the more intriguing as these paintings seem to come from the prehistoric times. Following this reasoning, one could argue that the bearded giant (Jean Reno) embodies evil and a threat to the efforts deployed by the man and the doctor to regain what finally made a human being. Ditto for the gang of baddies at the beginning of the film.

    The pessimistic whiff that such a film could convey isn't really at the fore and gives way to a glimmer of hope. Personally, the film could have gained with no music at all, except the one the man can hear with his cassette recorder. Luc Besson was to make better and still entrancing films like this one, he also boosted Pierre Jolivet's career as a director who will leave a patchy work behind him in the future: "Force Majeure" (1989), "Simple Mortel" (1991), "ma Petite Entreprise" (1999) or "Filles Uniques" (2003).
  • October 2, 2009
    A rare moment of cinematic perfection. Engaging and suspenseful from the exact beginning to the end. It is hard to not be in awe of Luc Besson's wonderful science-fiction creation.

    This is a post apocalyptic depiction of the world. Survival becomes more than instinct. It is tur...( read more)ned in to art, and even comedy. In a world where the water cycle incorporates fish that rain from the sky, and concrete hail that falls on your unsuspecting head. If you're lucky enough, you will find that abandoned bar to post-up in for a few days, as you get completely trashed on everything in sight. There are literally no words to describe it.

    So this adventurous, and uplifting tale, will definitely impress. For those seeking something arty to admire and take notes on even, this is the perfect film. All in black and white, with very smart and aesthetically pleasing photography.

    Some might make connotations to Mad Max- Road Warrior type of style. Although Mad Max is very similar and predates "Le Dernier Combat", there is nothing I would call unoriginal here.

    Phenomenal acting for a film with 0 dialogue, and almost no music. Natural, non over-emphatic performances... in general, very smooth, and suave.. Brilliant is a word I would definitely feel comfortable using. One of the first for Jean Reno as well, who provides nothing short of expert delivery.

    This film hasn't received too many ratings or reviews, so I feel privileged to help spread the word. I highly recommend this film to anyone. It is completely worth hunting down and watching.

    ~For those of you familiar with the publications of Margaret Atwood, this film felt like obvious inspiration for her novel: "Oryx and Crake", which is a similar style post-apocalyptic story, with the main character "The Snowman" who has a similar journey, instead of Besson's character known solely as "The Man". A recommended read if you enjoyed "Le Dernier Combat".
  • June 4, 2009
    Il était prometteur le jeune Besson... et puis après, il y a eu Subway, le Grand bleu, et la fin de tout espoir!!!
  • May 17, 2009
    post-history... we lost our word

Comments


This board looks lonely. Be the first to talk about "Le Dernier Combat (The Last Battle) (The Last Combat)" !

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

More Like This


Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Avalon
    Avalon (0%)
  • The Omega Man
    The Omega Man (0%)
  • The Road
    The Road (0%)
  • Ever Since the World Ended
    Ever Since the World Ended (0%)

Facts


No facts approved yet. Be the first

Le Dernier Combat... : Watch Free on TV


Le Dernier Combat (The Last Battle) (The Last Combat) Trivia

Movie Quizzes


No quizzes for Le Dernier Combat (The Last Battle) (The Last Combat). Want to create one?

Video Clips


No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Recent News


No recent headlines. Got one?

Most Popular Skin


No skins yet. Interested in creating one?