Der Fremdenlegionär review: Sand, itchy uniforms, and Gustav Fröhlich

Is this worth watching today? Only if you really love those old, dusty dramas where men spend half the time looking deeply troubled while wearing very heavy-looking coats.

Historians and people who like seeing Gustav Fröhlich looking stressed will enjoy it. If you want fast action, you're going to hate this.

I watched this on a whim because I recognized Fröhlich from Metropolis. He has this way of looking like he’s about to cry even when he’s just standing still.

The movie is mostly about the French Foreign Legion. It’s that old trope where a guy messes up his life and thinks the best fix is to go get shot at in the desert.

There is this one scene where a soldier is trying to clean his rifle and he looks so bored. It felt like a real moment that wasn't supposed to be there.

Most of the film feels like it was shot in a giant sandbox. You can almost feel the grit in your teeth just watching them march around.

The uniforms look incredibly uncomfortable. They are thick and wooly, which seems like a terrible choice for Africa.

I noticed one of the extras in the background was wearing his hat way too low. He looked like he couldn't see anything, which made me laugh during a serious speech.

It’s not quite as lively as something like Der müde Theodor. That one has a bit more bounce to it, while this one just feels... heavy.

Dorothea Wieck shows up and she is honestly the best part. She doesn't have many lines, but her eyes do all the work for the script.

The pacing is a bit of a mess. It drags for twenty minutes, and then suddenly three things happen at once and you have to pay attention again.

There’s a lot of dramatic shadows. Sometimes the shadows are more interesting than what the characters are actually saying.

I liked the way they filmed the camp at night. It feels lonely in a way that modern movies usually miss because they use too many lights.

It reminds me a little bit of the vibe in Die schwarze Pantherin. Both movies have that specific 1920s German obsession with destiny and bad choices.

The ending felt a bit rushed to me. Like the director realized they were running out of time and just decided to wrap everything up with a quick hug and a sunset.

One reaction shot of Rio Nobile lasts so long I thought my screen froze. He just stares. And stares.

It’s a bit of a relic, but it’s a charming one if you’re in the right mood. Don't expect a masterpiece, just a solid bit of old-school melodrama.

It’s definitely better than some of the other stuff from that year. Just bring your own water, because the movie makes you feel thirsty.