The Last Battle (1983)

Good concept, poorly executed.

Excellent, smart action film.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

A very impressive first film, made on a tiny budget, this highly imaginative, sometimes darkly funny view of a post-apocalyptic world where no one can speak is beautifully shot and designed, elements that would become hallmarks of Besson's style. There isn't much of a plot, we just observe as several male characters struggle against the elements and each other to survive in the meager pickings of remains of the civilized world. (For much of the film, we don't know if there are any women left at all). Sand has overtaken and filled office buildings and water is in scarce supply. If the film was made now, one could guess global warning was the culprit of human decline, but like much else, what happened in the past is allowed to remain a mystery. And how nice to avoid endless exposition and just allow the story to be. For all the 'action' implied by the title, this is no "Mad Max". While there are a few quite well done fights, much of the film is given over to slower, smaller more human moments, most touchingly, when people try – against all odds – to connect and form bonds. There are weaknesses. The film can feel thin, even drawn out at times, and the score can be downright awful. Why this beautiful, sad, macabre film got an early 80s poppy disco-synth score is beyond me. I'm sure Besson had his reasons, but it's been a long time since a score so aggressively took me out of a film. There are also some logic questions that start to become bothersome. E.g. It's one thing to postulate that for some reason no one can speak, but since it's clear they can read and remember language (and want to speak) why does no one ever write a note? A small thing, but when you leave so much open to question, you do run the risk of those questions becoming vexing. All that said, I enjoyed the film a good deal, event if I was a bit disappointed, when all was said and done,that it didn't pack more of an emotional or intellectual punch.

With his first attempt Besson knocks it out of the park! Le Dernier Combat is an odd friendship tale and love story told with no words set in a post apocalyptic world that looks like no other. We are carried through this miserable landscape with unparalleled lightness and ease. It looks attractive enough for us to want to live there, albeit deserted and rundown. Besson inserts it with interesting new stuff for the main character to use - a self made plane, cassette player and a blow up doll. In fact every film in the genre introduces something new to the post apocalyptic world that is used in following movies. However Besson got his artistic touch all over this one. Fast, pacey episodes are followed by slow almost poetic moments of observation. It is breathtaking and visually stunning.It is really hard to tell the humanity in characters that can't speak and only moo and make gestures. But Besson makes them draw wall paintings and eat on table-cloths using forks and knives. The Doctor and The Man really grow on each other and in the end The Doctor reveals his biggest secret. Buildig up of characters without using dialog is quite challenging and masterfully done.A genius is born!

I am glad that Luc Besson moved on from this Cannes film festival fodder and into more entertaining movies. Although it does take a fair amount of gall to direct a post-apocalyptic film in black and white with absolutely no dialogue, it seemed obvious to me that it was geared for the Film Festival set; things happen incredibly slowly, and there is no explanation for many elements of the film (people can't talk, fish rain from the sky, etc.), but how could there be as there is no dialogue? If you absolutely must see everything Luc Besson has directed, then by all means, see this movie. But if you are looking for a well-made Besson, then search somewhere else. Luc Besson has directed such classics as Nikita, Leon, Subway, and Le Grand Bleu, all of which are infinitely more entertaining and watchable than this post-modernistic French cinema which was likely praised at the time of its release as the future of film. Fortunately, it wasn't, and Besson went on to bigger and better things.

I thought Besson's film managed to do without words what few films have been able to do with them; Capture true human emotions. The main character's struggles, triumphs, set backs, hopes and desires are all so honestly shown that you wonder if he is acting at all. The film has a low budget and is obviously made without the glitz and glamour afforded to most Hollywood productions but that minimalism is what allows this film to transcend the stereotypical Sci-Fi labeling and become a true drama. However calling this film solely a drama would take away from the fantastic post-apocalyptic plot. True this type of movie has been done been before but I think this one captures the joys and sorrows of that type of world possibly better than any other one does.