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One of the Legion

Name: One of the Legion
Director: Christian-Jaque
Released: 1936
Duration: 91 min

Representation Score

1.7/10

Minimal

1936

Director

Christian-Jaque

Runtime

91 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film reflects the classical adventure and comedic style typical of its era, prioritizing these elements over deeper representation. While it offers a minor subversion of traditional gender roles by showing a submissive husband, the overall narrative remains centered on masculine escapism. The film’s setting in colonial Algeria reinforces a Western-centric perspective. Indigenous populations serve primarily as a backdrop for the protagonist’s journey, lacking individual ability to act or complex identities. Overall, the film lacks critical examination of underrepresented groups and adheres to the colonialist and conventions that assume everyone is straight of its time.

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Category Breakdown

Does One of the Legion have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses on a marriage that assumes both partners are straight and cisgender. There are no depictions of same-sex relationships or non-cisgender identities.

How does One of the Legion portray gender?

Limited

The story challenges traditional gender roles by showing a husband who is dominated by his wife. However, the plot shifts to a male-dominated adventure involving the Foreign Legion.

How racially and ethnically diverse is One of the Legion?

Limited

The film sets its story in tribal Algeria, which mainly serves as a backdrop for a military adventure. Indigenous populations are not given much depth or individual ability to act.

How does One of the Legion represent religion and culture?

Limited

The film emphasizes Western institutions such as the military and legal systems. It does not show any signs of secularism or anti-colonial sentiments.

Does One of the Legion include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no visible or invisible disabilities shown in the film. The protagonist’s intoxication is used solely as a plot device for identity theft.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional gender roles by showing a wife with significant influence over her husband.

Limited or Absent

Does not give ability to act to non-Western characters in the colonial Algerian setting.
Relies on a straight-centered framework with no LGBTQ+ representation.
Focuses on masculine escapism through the military plot.

Official Synopsis

Fernand Espitalion is miserable as totally whipped husband of a dragon 'passed on' -like cloths- by his late cousin. She often leaves him waiting outside like a dog when she does business. While she sees a notary about an inheritance, he's seduced to a bar by a shady man. The rogue gets Fernand drunk, knocks him out and switches costumes and papers. He's now Robert Durand, a voluntary Foreign legion recruit. After failed attempts to explain, he tastes military life and finds it less disciplined and more enjoyable then, marriage. But will that last when his wife tracks him and his unit is sent to action in tribal Algeria?

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