Partis pour la gloire

Each time I remember this movie, makes me wonder how some boys, not interested in war, are eager to anything to avoid being enlisted.

We can compare this period against October 1970, where many innocent people were arrested for suspicion of terrorist activities.

This time, it was about arresting boys avoiding to go to war.

1942 in Beauce county. Claude (Serge L'Italien, known for a role in an 1st grade school show, "Les Oraliens"), a free spirited country boy, is not interested to go to war, as so many unemployed friends around him. However the Canadian Government votes a law forcing these unemployed being drafted as soldiers. Avoiding such would mean prison for betrayal. As some resigns to the draft, Claude and a friend do everything, especially avoiding the tough-as-nails Lieutenant Laroche (an excellent role by the late André Melançon), to avoid being drafted or arrested. However, even being a catholic monk won't do as he is in love with a local girl...

Well acted and an excellent script. Was a change, compared to most poor screwball comedies that were presented at the time.

A piece of Quebec and Canada history not to be missed.