Tire Au Flanc (1960)
Directed by François Truffaut / Claude de Givray
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Synopsis by Eleanor Mannikka
Once in awhile, the post-war European filmmakers took a break from interminable stories about wartime tragedies and battles to create a different type of military tale -- a comedy like this one. Without any particular plot to speak of, the 90-minute running time is taken up with the humorous exploits of an egocentric wealthy snob and his lower-class chauffeur after both are drafted into the army. A kind of male version of Private Benjamin, with a twist, the two mismatched recruits encounter all sorts of challenges as they are forced to adjust to a life as bottom-feeders in the military.