Beau Geste

The French Foreign Legion arrives to relieve Fort Zinderneuf and finds the fort devastated by Tuareg attacks. Beau Graves' arm has already been amputated in the assault, and he is the sole survivor. The grim scene sets the frame for the recounting of events to come.

Beau's background unfolds in a flashback. He ran away to join the Legion and took the blame for an embezzlement actually committed by his business partner to protect the partner's wife. The partner later confessed and killed himself, leaving Beau with the burden of a sacrificed life and a lasting sense of duty.

De Ruse and Dagineau enforce harsh discipline on the troops, with Dagineau earning a reputation for brutality. He enlists Boldini, who reenlisted, promoting him to Corporal to spy on the men. The treacherous dynamic foreshadows the tensions to come.

The detachment proceeds toward Fort Zinderneuf but is attacked by Tuareg forces en route. Lieutenant De Ruse is mortally wounded in the assault, leaving Dagineau in command as the situation deteriorates. The expedition's fate hinges on the fort’s defense.

Under Dagineau's brutal command, the troops mutiny and prepare to execute the sergeant. Everyone except Beau and John participates or is ready to act, revealing the depth of despondence within the garrison. The mutiny marks a fracture the fort may not recover from.

A Tuareg assault breaks the tense mutiny, forcing a pivot to defense. Beau persuades the men to spare Dagineau so he can still lead the fort, attempting to restore order amid the siege. The fragile cohesion of the garrison hangs by a thread.

Between attacks, De Ruse privately confesses to Beau that he authored the threatening letter. His aim was to provoke more humanity from Dagineau, but the revelation exposes the manipulations that have poisoned the unit's unity. The truth of the letter deepens the moral complexity of the siege.

The Tuareg assault persists, taking a heavy toll on the legionnaires. Dagineau maintains control and the defenders hold the ramparts, with Beau bearing his injuries and contributing to the defense. The corpses of fallen men are grimly displayed on the ramparts to deter further attacks.

When the relief column appears, Dagineau delays their entry to settle scores with Beau. He suggests that the dead can be forged into heroes as long as the mutiny stays hidden. In the confrontation that follows, Beau gains the upper hand and shoots Dagineau, ending his tyranny.

Beau's memory ends with him recounting the defense to the relief commander, but he omits the mutiny and Dagineau's brutality. He presents the men as heroes who simply laid down their lives, shaping the official version of events.

The high command decides that Fort Zinderneuf is no longer worth defending and will be abandoned. Beau, now missing an arm, is to be discharged, and the commander asks if he has someone to return to. Beau responds with a quiet, hopeful smile, implying a personal future beyond the fort.