The Unvanquished (film)

Thomas Vlassenroot, a citizen of Luxembourg, after his divorce, decides to enlist in the French Foreign Legion. He is posted to Algeria but during the 1961 uprising he becomes disillusioned and deserts.

While in hiding he receives a visit from his former lieutenant played by Georges Géret, who is also a defector but now works for the OAS, a group opposing Algerian independence. Lieutenant Fraser entices Thomas to join the OAS and also to take part in a plan to kidnap lawyer Dominique Servet by promising him enough money to enable him to return to his home in Luxembourg.

Dominique Servet is in Algiers defending Algerian nationalists in court and this has made her a target.[4] Thomas soon finds himself conflicted as he falls in love with his prisoner and helps her escape back to France. While Dominique finally escapes and goes back to France alone, Thomas gets injured during a fight with another OAS member and makes a difficult trip back home.

While in France he takes the train back to his hometown but during a stop in Lyon he disembarks because he needs to see Dominique again. He finds her at her home and she nurses him when she discovers how badly injured he is but his enemies are not far behind and finally track him down and they threaten both of them with death.

In the ensuing confrontation he escapes and Dominique drives him in her Citroën DS. On the way back to his home they go through roadblocks, get shot at and finally with the help of Dominique's understanding husband he finally crosses the road to Luxembourg and reaches his farm.

He enters his home and finds his little girl sitting at the table. He finally collapses on the floor from his unattended wounds and dies while passing his hand over his face as if to close his eyes. Dominique still waiting outside the fence cries out his name. The film closes on a silent black screen with Thomas Vlassenroot's name and dates of birth and death.[6]

The film was made for Alain Delon's own company. It was distributed by MGM, for whom Delon had also made Any Number Can Win and Joy House.[7] He had a five-picture deal with the studio and would go on to make Once a Thief and The Yellow Rolls Royce for them.[8] A film still featuring Delon was used by English rock band The Smiths for the cover of their album The Queen Is Dead.

• Alain Delon, l'insoumis (1957–1970) by Henry-Jean Servat

• Photo Gallery
• New York Times review
• The Unvanquished at the TCM Movie Database
• L'Insoumis on IMDb
• L'Insoumis at AllMovie