Le petit soldat

Le petit soldat

Year: 1963

Runtime: 87 mins

Language: French

DramaRomanceHigh speed and special opsPowerful poetic and passionate dramaIntense political and terrorist thrillers

Lacking any strong political beliefs, photojournalist Bruno Forestier is reluctantly drawn into a covert paramilitary unit operating in Geneva, where they conduct a clandestine campaign against the Algerian independence movement. As he documents the turmoil, he becomes entangled in the moral ambiguity of the shadow war.

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Timeline & Setting – Le petit soldat (1963)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Le petit soldat (1963). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1958

The story unfolds in 1958, amid the Algerian War of Independence. This late-1950s period is characterized by clandestine operations, political upheaval, and heightened tensions between French authorities and Algerian movements.

Location

Geneva, Algeria, France, Brazil

Geneva, Switzerland serves as the discreet refuge for Bruno and a backdrop for covert activity during the Cold War. The narrative also travels to Algeria, a frontline setting of the Algerian War where detentions and violence shape the plot. The pursuit extends to France, the center of state power and clandestine operations, with Brazil representing the exile Bruno hopes to reach.

🌍 Geneva (Switzerland) 🗺️ Algeria 🗺️ France 🇧🇷 Brazil

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:39

Main Characters – Le petit soldat (1963)

Meet the key characters of Le petit soldat (1963), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Bruno Forestier (Michel Subor)

A French army deserter living in Geneva who becomes entangled with La Main Rouge. He is torn between self-preservation and his moral scruples about assassination, and his relationship with Veronica deepens the conflict. After capture and torture by Algerians, he escapes, but ultimately agrees to kill Palivoda to obtain papers, only to learn that Veronica has died.

🧭 Deserter 💔 Lover 🕵️‍♂️ Espionage

Veronica Dreyer (Anna Karina)

A woman connected to the FLN, she works with them and falls in love with Bruno. Her ties to the FLN complicate both their lives and the political situation. She is abducted by the French and tortured for information about the Algerian hideout, and she dies, marking a tragic turn in Bruno's arc.

🕵️‍♀️ FLN link 💔 Lover

Arthur Palivoda

A radio host who is pro-FLN and supports Algerian independence. He becomes the target of Bruno's assassination, a plot device used to coerce him and others, and is ultimately killed by Bruno.

🎙️ Radio host 💥 Target of assassination

Activist Leader (Georges de Beauregard)

Leader of La Main Rouge, the militant organization involved in the film's violent plots. He represents the militant wing driving operations and political coercion behind the scenes.

🧭 Leader ⚖️ Militant 🇫🇷 French activist

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:39

Major Themes – Le petit soldat (1963)

Explore the central themes of Le petit soldat (1963), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕊️ Loyalty vs. Survival

The film probes moral ambiguity as Bruno weighs loyalty to a clandestine group against personal conscience and love. His hesitations reveal how war distorts loyalties and forces life-or-death choices.

💣 Violence and Coercion

Assassination orders, detention, and torture illustrate how violence is used to compel obedience and advance political aims. The characters navigate a world where ends justify brutal means.

💔 Love in Conflict

Bruno and Veronica's romance unfolds under the shadow of political commitments, showing how affection can both motivate and complicate dangerous loyalties. The relationship intensifies the stakes and personal costs of the war.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:39

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Le petit soldat Summary

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Le petit soldat Summary

Le petit soldat Timeline

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Le petit soldat Timeline

More About Le petit soldat

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