Il deserto dei tartari

Young lieutenant Giovanni Drogo has been assigned to Bastiani, an isolated fortress bordering a desert and a series of mountains. The aim of his mission is to prevent a potential invasion by the dreadful Tartars. As days turn into months, excitement turns into excruciating boredom within the soldiers’ ranks. And in the endlessness of the desert, no one has ever spotted the enemy.

Italy, France, Germany – 1976 – 140’ – Color – Italian with English subtitles.
With Jacques Perrin, Vittorio Gassman, Helmut Griem, Max von Sydow, Francisco Rabal, Giuliano Gemma, Philippe Noiret, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Mohammad-Ali Keshavartz.

Scenario: André-Georges Brunelin, Valerio Zurlini, Jean-Louis Bertucelli based on Dino Buzzati’s 1940 eponymous novel.
Cinematography: Luciano Tovoli.
Editing: Raimondo Crociani.
Music: Ennio Morricone.
Produced by: Jacques Perrin, Michelle de Broca, Bahman Farmanara, Enzo Giulioli.
Directed by: Valerio Zurlini.