Les ordres (1974)

Director:

Michel Brault

Writer:

Michel Brault (writer)

Release Date:

27 September 1974 (Canada)

Genre:

Drama | History

Plot:

A fact-based account of ordinary citizens who found themselves arrested and imprisoned without charge for weeks during the October Crisis in 1970 Quebec.

Plot Keywords:

Quebec | War Measures Act | Police | Montreal Quebec | False Accusation

Awards:

3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Hélène Loiselle	...	Marie Boudreau
Jean Lapointe	...	Clermont Boudreau
Guy Provost	...	Dr. Jean-Marie Beauchemin
Claude Gauthier	...	Richard Lavoie
Louise Forestier	...	Claudette Dusseault
Louise Pratte	...	Louise Boudreau
Martine Pratte	...	Martine Boudreau
Monique Pratte	...	Monique Boudreau
Amulette Garneau	...	Mrs. Thibault, The Neighbour
Louise Latraverse	...	Claire Beauchemin
Sophie Clément	...	Ginette Lavoie
Esther Auger	...	Esther
Claire Richard	...	Mrs. Vezina
J. Léo Gagnon	...	The Grocer
José Rettino	...	The Foreman

Also Known As:

Orderers (USA)
Orders
Ausnahmezustand (West Germany) [de]
Büntelenül (Hungary) [hu]
Fruktans lag (Sweden) [sv]

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

French | English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Sweden:11

Filming Locations:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Company:

Canadian Film Development Corporation (CFDC)

Trivia:

Cameo: [Louise Portal]Richard Lavoie's wife

Movie Connections:

Featured in Cinéma Vérité: Defining the Moment (1999)

Soundtrack:

La Complainte de mon frère

A tribute to injustice

This movie is not about action, it is not about special effects, it is about injustice. The persons portrayed in this movie did not die, nor did they suffer tremendous pain. But, for no valid reason, their liberty was taken from them because of the law instated to counter terrorist acts happening during "la crise d'octobre". You cannot compare this movie to a war film because it isn't, neither can it be compared to a drama because it is not that either. It is made in a documentary structure, sometimes showing us the people involved, sometimes, showing us the impressions of the actors playing them, and how they were disturbed by the whole idea.

This movie is based on testimonies of people detained without recourse during the crisis of October 1970. This film is meant as a reminder for everyone that, as much a government can be civilized, as much it can abuse its power to protect itself with fear.

If you watch this movie, do not expect twists and turns, do not expect violence, do not expect special effects... do not expect anything but humanity. The mere fact that someone can be deprived from freedom, even just for a few days, can leave a sour taste. I don't think this movie was made to be a statement, but rather to be disturbing, as the events it tells.