We Were One Man

By: Jorge Bravo
In-House Review - Jan 05 2012

A classic in the genre, We Were One Man tells a story of gay love between two WWII soldiers. Guy, a peasant French farmer, is trying to live a simple life during World War II. He lives in a small farmhouse outside a sleepy village in France. He has almost no friends, that is until one day when he stumbles across Rolf, an injured German soldier. The simple, naive Guy brings Rolf home and nurses him back to health. While convalescing, a relationship slowly builds between the two men. They frolic naked in the woods and swim in the stream. Thin, boyish Guy is a contrast to the blond, hard bodied Rolf. A passion stirs between to the two young men. Their lives intertwine, each happy to be sheltered and loved, that is until the war asserts itself back into their lives. (French with English subtitles)

By: Rich

So many adjectives come to mind when I think of this film from tasteless to beautifully touching. It runs the gamut of emotion in a provactively riveting if confounding way. I had to wait a week and watch it again. I was particularly haunted by it and just had to go back. I love French film for it's raw emotion and I happen to love a film where you know there will be a gay subject but it unfolds subtly and mysteriously as the characters fall deeply in love to the point of Shakespearian sacrifice. The sex scene is incredible and particularly the unexpected look on Guy's face afterward, deliriously spent. I've never forgotten it.

By: rabbit831

I've bought many books and DVD's from TLA ranging from straight to full XXX-rated. I am also a writer of gay fiction. I don't know if I was expecting more from this film, but it may be one of the worst films I have ever seen, even taking into consideration it's production year of 1980. The cover and review were so misleading that I would consider asking for my money back, but it wouldn't be worth the trouble. The film was choppy, the plot hard to follow and without any meaning or logic until more than near the end, the actions of the characters did not allow one to become involved enough in the film to allow any emotional involvement, although the subtitles were not too bad as I speak French. I give this an overall POOR rating and would gladly give this to anyone who wanted it for free.

By: Barry

It has taken me time to collect several of the films of Philippe Vallois whose unashamed and sometimes explicit eroticism filmed with the eye of an artist are worthy of any serious collector of gay cinema.. This one had been on my wish list since seeing some stills many years ago. I managed to find a dubious copy a while back, but now at last a DVD has been released which I ordered immediately. The loveable Guy played by Serge Avedikian is a remarkable and joyous character, a true simple innocent and a revelation to watch on screen. Shaken from his protective isolation he finds love with the wounded, lost and handsome German soldier Rolf played by Piotr Stanislas and with it the joy, the jealousy and the sorrows we all experience. It is a great examination of a relationship. Other films of Philippe Vallois worth seeking are Johan, Sexus Dei and two I have found that I purchased from France even though they have no subtitles (I do not speak French) Halteroflic, and Un parfum nomme Said. I will hope that someone does release them to the English speaking world eventually.