For a film with a sloppy script this isn't too hard to take. A lot of that, of course, is down to Romy Schneider, just one of so many European(Austrian in this case) beauties who are also consummate actresses. Essentially it is a clash of ciphers, the fanatical fascist versus the peace-loving printer, with Schneider on offer after the Best Out Of Three tussles. What is never explained is 1) how Trintignant and Schneider ever got together, 2) what turned the affluent Trintignant into a raving fascist, 3) why Trintignant and Serre would ever have been friends and 4) this is the most in need of an answer; why did Serge betray his comrades. The acting is fine as is the black and white photography and for a film released at a time when the new wavelet was in full spate it is surprisingly likable.
Review of Le combat dans l'île
