Les Patriotes (The Patriots) (1994)

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(136 ratings)

Espionage, personal integrity, and political commitment are the main themes running through this French thriller that chronicles a young man's journey from idealism to disillusionment and maturity. The story is set in the 1980's in Tel Aviv and follows the exploits and moral conflicts of Attal, a… More Espionage, personal integrity, and political commitment are the main themes running through this French thriller that chronicles a young man's journey from idealism to disillusionment and maturity. The story is set in the 1980's in Tel Aviv and follows the exploits and moral conflicts of Attal, a Jew who left his family in France on his eighteenth birthday to pursue a career as an agent in Israels' Institute for Intelligence, the Mossad. At first, his missions do not bother his conscience; he performs them for the good of Israel. But, as time passes, Attal must face more moral dilemmas as the work becomes more subversive and dishonest. He must ultimately decide whether to follow the his personal ideals, or be part of a system which promote immoral acts in the name of idealism. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 24 min.
Directed By: Eric Rochant
Genres: Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1994 Wide
On DVD: May 23, 2006

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Walter M

In "The Patriots," Ariel Brenner(Yvan Attal), after he has been kicked out of college, travels to his spiritual homeland of Israel and joins up with Mossad. While on a training mission, he is recruited by Unit 238, the nuclear intelligence department.(A totally apt name if… More
In "The Patriots," Ariel Brenner(Yvan Attal), after he has been kicked out of college, travels to his spiritual homeland of Israel and joins up with Mossad. While on a training mission, he is recruited by Unit 238, the nuclear intelligence department.(A totally apt name if you think of it.) He is put in charge of a mission in his native city of Paris to determine if Remy Prieur(Jean-Francois Stevenin), a nuclear scientist, is working on a peaceful or military project for an enemy of Israel. To that end, Ariel employs Marie-Claude(Sandrine Kiberlain), a high class prostitute, to help in blackmailing him. "The Patriots" is a smart and cynical movie that takes the nuts and bolts approach to espionage with two distinct storylines that sort of come together at the end.(The second stars Richard Masur, Nancy Allen and Allen Garfield.) The movie to its credit contrasts the idealism of those wanting to work for a cause and the dirty work that happens behind closed doors which involves more waiting and photocopying than anything else.(Although, it can be sexy work at times.) A compatriot of Ariel's brings up the trait that makes him so perfect for his job, a word I hesitate to use here, but sounds totally appropriate in this sort of business. In this case, it is for Israel which generates very strong opinions on both sides which is illustrated by footage of Menachem Begin announcing never again.

Cast

            Yvan Attal as Ariel

            Dan Toren as Ran Ostrovitch

            Yossi Banai as Yossi

            André Engel as Father

            Sandrine Kiberlain as Marie Claude

            Richard Masur as Jeremy Pelman

            Nancy Allen as Catherine Pelman

            Allen Garfield as Eagleman

            Jay Benedict as Colleague NSA

            Rami Danon as Pinkhas

            Sasson Gabay as Cop 1 Israel

            Hippolyte Girardot as Daniel

            Ronald Guttman as Employee NSA

            Albert Illouz as Cop 2 Israel

            Moshe Ivgi as Oron

            Makram Khouri as Barak

            Bernard Le Coq as Bill Haydon

            Michael MacRae as McKenzie

            Myriem Roussel
            
            John P. Ryan as Arthur

            Jack Widerker as American hotel Tel Aviv

            Christine Pascal as Laurence

            Jean-François Stévenin as Remy Prieur

            Bertie Cortez as Washington Restaurant's manager

            Eva Darlan as Mme Prieur

            Emmanuelle Devos as Rachel

            Roger Mirmont
            
            Gedalia Besser as Mossad chief

            Ezra Kafri as 3rd instructor

            Jesse Joe Walsh as Guard NSA
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