THE LAST VALLEY - John Barry (Edit-with-ending)

The Last Valley (1971) is a historical drama film directed by James Clavell. Set during the Thirty Years War, it stars Michael Caine as the leader of a band of mercenaries, and Omar Sharif as a teacher fleeing from the violence endemic to Germany during this period. They manage to find one valley, untouched by war, in which to live in peace for a time.
Caine's character, known only as 'The Captain,' leads a band of ruthless Mercenaries. His men pillage the countryside, looting freely when not engaged in actual military work. Sharif, as 'Vogel' (German for 'Bird'), is a former teacher who is merely trying to survive the overall slaughter taking place throughout south-central Germany. He runs from The Captain's forces, and eventually stumbles onto an idyllic mountain vale, seemingly untouched by war.
The Captain's small band are not far behind, and they too are impressed by the valley and its inhabitants, but for darker reasons. Outgunning the locals by a wide margin, he decides that his men will rest here for the winter, and wait for political events outside to turn in their favor. He forces the locals to comply, especially their headman 'Gruber' (Nigel Davenport). The local Catholic Priest ('Per Oscarsson') is livid that a number of Protestants (and nihilistic Atheists for that matter) are amongst the Mercenaries, but there is little he can do to sway The Captain. The Mercenaries are of one mind after The Captain kills a dissenting member of his band, and religious and ethnic divisions are irrelevant.
At first, the locals accept their fate. Vogel agrees to act as intermediary, using his cunning to act as judge in matters of dispute between the Mercenaries and local people. As long as food, shelter, and a small number of comfort women are provided, the Mercenaries leave the locals alone. But as winter fades, it becomes obvious that the Mercenaries will have to leave. A man exiled from the group manages to lead a rival Mercenary band to the valley, which is no longer snowed-in. After a short, but fierce, battle in which the interlopers are destroyed, The Captain gets word that a major military campaign in the Upper Rhineland is happening. Since his men are soldiers of fortune, he decides this is the time to leave the valley and seek combat again.
John Barry had recently won the Academy Award for the eerie, powerful score for 'The Lion in Winter', and had already worked with director James Clavell on 'King Rat', he was hired to provide a score for the heavily dramatic tale of 'The Last Valley'.

Trivia:
The film was mostly shot in Tyrol, Austria (Trins and Gschnitz and the Gschnitztal Valley) and was based on the novel by J.B. Pick.

The film flopped on release, often cited as an allegory for the Vietnam War - reportedly losing $7m.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Michael-Caine
• Omar-Sharif
• Florinda-Bolkan
• Nigel-Davenport
• Per-Oscarsson
• Arthur-O'Connell
• Madeleine-Hinde
• Yorgo-Voyagis
• Miguel-Alejandro
• Christian-Roberts
• Brian-Blessed
• Ian-Hogg
• Michael-Gothard
• George-Innes
• Vladek-Sheybal
• Kurt-Christian

[Wellington7067]

This is the finest film I have ever seen which almost no one knows about, including those who ordinarily have a solid knowledge of film history. The supporting cast is quite good and the two lead characters, played magnificently by Michael Caine and Omar Sharif, are timeless Everyman types. John Barry's musical score is beautiful and haunting and the cinematography and atmosphere conveyed are first-rate as well. A stunning film in most every way. It deserves to be better known than it is.

[Soundtrackcollector]

Well said Sir!

[theroofsleaking]

Great film. The bit that always stuck in my mind, was when Michael Caine stabbed the guy with his pointy helmet

[Soundtrackcollector]

A younger Brian Blessed.

[londonjack]

You seem to have all my favs since I last visited here. It really is amazing even this rare find. Great stuff

Regards

[Soundtrackcollector]

No problem. Glad you enjoying the channel.

Managed to get this one in widescreen ...makes the difference.

Thanks again.

[watmero]

Merely fantastic! Thanks soundtrackcollector

[FifthContinentMusic]

A sadly neglected film. Best seen in the original 70mm Todd-AO format. Great John Barry score.

[ProNorden]

Barry's score here has elements of his scores for 'The Lion In Winter' and 'Game Of Death' .

[gipperbanana]

Soundtrack collector,your name alone has given my heart palpatations.The music by John Barry is as usual topnotch.My Grandmother in Ireland knew his father very well and along with lennon and McCartney he is a testimony to the musicality of those with Irish blood .Do you know if it is possible to get the soundtrack to a movie with Ryan O Neal called "The Thief who came to dinner" with jacquilene Blisset.I think it was done by Mancini.Much obliged if you could try to find it.

Thanks

[bluesteelzephyr]

Yes, a very good movie and quite a cautionary tale for today. It takes place during the Thirty Years War, Catholics against Protestants, and the sack of Magdeburg, Germany by Holy Roman Empire forces showed all the world what religious extremism was about. Europe still remembers. The Thirty Years War is not in the history books of the U.S. If it was maybe they wouldn't be so ready to mix religion and politics. The U.S .founding fathers knew of it and that's why the establishment clause exists.

[barryfanatic]

This also deserved to win an oscar, it is an outstanding piece of music way ahead of most soundtracks that you here from this type of movie. John you were a genius and are sorely missed.

[templarsoul]

"Don't talk to me of God. We killed God at Magdeburg! We laid that city flat; butchered men, women and children- 20, 30 thousand and then we burned the lot. Why? Vengeance. . . . We all have things we'd like to forget. Magdeburg is mine." -Simply the best line of the film! Rakish and stylishly acted; Michael Caine was fantastic!

[gargrimm]

Great movie I seen it as a kid bought it last week

[kaveebee]

I first saw this just after it first came out. Of course I have my own copy now! In its way a beautiful movie, although frightening as well, particularly as it covers so many of the essentials in the human condition. The Captain was a good character well played by Michael Caine. The bit at the end where he lost his hardness was a nice touch.

[redbeagle100]

This is one of my favorite films.

[hariviii]

I am from this valley where they made this movie and I was there with my parents,

I was 1 year old.