Inclubabu Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

Robert Joyner The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Jenna Walter The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

Skyler Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

davyd-02237 Is this movie historically accurate? - my answer is I don't know Is this movie entertaining? - NOT in my view. 2 hours - find an alternative of something better to do, even given such a good cast as it has, I cannot to be fair, call this in any way shape or form as having any "entertainment value" whatsoever

Benedito Dias Rodrigues Very impressive movie about the famous thirty years war that was set place in Germany and become a massacre in name of God...based on a book this picture explain how all religions explore the fear....Despite the English accent infect the original story,the natural choice should be a native German to play the main roles even Caine and Shariff doing their best...simply fantastic piece of art!!!Waiting for a new restoration!!!Resume:First watch: 2017 / How many: 1 Source: DVD / Rating: 9

shhimundercoverdamnit This is a rather under looked interesting and powerful film. The movie takes place during the Thirty Years War as it rages through 17th-century Germany. The Last Valley indeed, is an oasis of peace, a hidden valley protected from the outside world's wars and plagues. However, all of this changes when Vogel, a one-time school teacher now on the run played by Omar Sharif (and his gigantic dark, and deep and eyes) wanders into the peaceful valley. It doesn't take much longer until Michael Caine's rag-tag and exhausted army arrives as well.To me the film's strong point is the pairing of Caine, as the fierce captain and Sharif, as the philosopher type. For instance, one of the film's most stunning sequences is one in which Sharif tells of losing his entire family and home at Magdeburg. Caine's response is quite fascinating as he goes on about the war and his own personal touch he gave to Magdeburg, and how such violence and pillage was a response to such event occurring to one of his towns, or cities, or valleys. "I was born in war." The other fascinating idea that the movie dwells on is the subject of religion, religious fanaticism and witchcraft. Yes, you read that right...with craft.You see, good old Sharif talks Caine into doing winter quarters in the valley instead of just sacking the place and moving on as per the norm. An uneasy alliance is formed between, Sharif, Caine and his soldiers, the head honcho in the town (Nigel Davenport) and the local Catholic Priest priest. (Per Oscarsson) Part of the uneasy alliance apparently consists of the local women sleeping with Caine's mercenaries..including one such blond virgin (Madeleine Hinde), who apparently will have a free ticket into heaven if she does the "good deed." Or that is what the Priest claims. Blind religion for it's own sake. Vogel and the Captain, you see are above the religious controversies that come to the forefront throughout the film, they are presented to the audience as free-thinkers at every opportunity; the former is a humanist, the latter a cynic.Perhaps one of the strongest scenes of the film is the sequence in which the brunette beauty Erica (Florinda Bolkan) ( whom Caine's character won in a dice game) religious allegiances are uncovered. You see, she is revealed to be a practicing Satanist, and such doesn't go over very well in the village. QUOTE "But you have taken the Holy Sacrament all your life." "I took nothing more than a piece of bread and a sip of wine."All in all, the film clearly depicts the realism of war and fanaticism. It delves into what is the best in humanity, and abhors that to which is our worst.Great film.

DaKlerge I inadvertently tripped over this movie, late at night, at the end of a long weekend work shift. And I have to say, it was so much better than the fare usually found at such hours that I was moved to log on and comment.As most other commentors have stated, it has a near-unique setting for an English language movie in the Thirty Year's War (1618 - 1648), and does a reasonable job of communicating the feral quality of such a nebulous conflict. The central performances from Caine, Sharif and Davenport are each thoroughly engaging and entirely organic to the story, although the lack of a modern dialog/accent coach is keenly felt throughout, The direction, from Emmy winner James Clavell, is not quite up to the level of a Morricone or Huston, but more than competent considering the depth of story that is conveyed. The cinematography is both simple and elegiac without ever losing itself in Leanesque moments of hubris. Indeed, such lavish images may have detracted from what is ultimately a grubby tale of survival and necessity in seventeenth-century Europe.If I have a quibble with this film it is in the editing. Whereas there may well be a substantially different or longer cut available than the ~1h45m version I saw, it nevertheless seems to lack a consistent pace in the tale-telling. Minor scenes are given just as much screen time and weight as seemingly decisive plot moments. Even though this is indicative of the heritage of the film's production (early-70s British-made, Yank-financed films with their tendency to cinema-verité values) it nevertheless makes for a slightly more difficult watch than should be absolutely necessary. Plus, it seemed to me, on first viewing at least, that a whole lot of good movie ended up on the cutting-room floor.In summary, certainly worth a watch. Probably two, especially if a decent widescreen version is available. And if a "director's cut" ever came out, I'd buy it.