March Or Die (1977)

Soon after WWI, a commander (Gene Hackman) in the French Foreign Legion is assigned to protect an archaeological team from Arab tribes who object to foreigners digging for their treasures and removing them from the country. Add to the mix, a romance between a jaded Frenchwoman (Catherine Deneuve) and a jewel thief turned legionnaire (Terence Hill). Directed by Dick Richards (FAREWELL MY LOVELY) from a screenplay by David Zelag Goodman (STRAW DOGS). An ill conceived mess! The film tries not to romanticize the Foreign Legion or demonize the Arabs but it does just that. The film bears a superficial resemblance to ZULU (foreign military forces pinned down by an indigenous population) but lacks that film's intelligence and grace. The film is saddled with the charmless Terence Hill at its center. I'm not that familiar with Hill's films but does he always look so dim witted? Talented actors like Hackman, Deneuve and Max Von Sydow (as an archaeologist) are rendered unappealing by the material. In its favor, the film does have an extremely well done Arab siege but that only comes at the very end of the movie.  Maurice Jarre's underscore tries to help. With Ian Holm, Marcel Bozzuffi, Jack O'Halloran and Vernon Dobtcheff.