28 January 1971: The Last Valley

In this story about the Thirty Years War that ravaged Europe (1618-1648), Michael Gothard played Hansen, one of a band of marauders led by The Captain (Michael Caine).

“The Last Valley” was filmed at Halliford Studios, Shepperton, England, and in Trins, Tirol, Austria.

Filming seems to have taken place during 1969, because there were 40th Anniversary showings on 24 and 27 September 2009.

Per an uncredited source, Michael may have got this role as a result of his performance in “Michael Kohlhaas.”

"In [Michael Kohlhaas], Michael Gothard played the part of a young soldier who joined Kohlhaas' band, but who, refusing to obey, looted for his own gain, and finally died by hanging. His truculent performance, especially in the last scenes with Anita Pallenberg, earned him a very similar role in “The Last Valley”, James Clavell's ponderous allegory."

Quote taken from Michael Gothard Tribute Site

It seems likely that Michael’s performance in “The Last Valley” may have led to him being cast as Kai in “Arthur of the Britons.” He even wears the same studded tunic in both productions.

“The Last Valley” was the second project on which Michael appeared with Brian Blessed (who played another mercenary, Korski) – the first being “The Further Adventures of the Musketeers”, and the third being “Arthur of the Britons.”

Harry Fielder, a stuntman/extra/stand-in with whom Michael had worked on the “Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)” episode, “When the Spirit Moves You”, was an uncredited pillager in “The Last Valley”, and would later work with him on “The Devils.”

Madeleine Hinde, who played Inge, would work with Michael again soon after, on "Arthur of the Britons", in which she appeared as Eithna.

George Innes, who played mercenary Vornez, would later appear with Michael again in “Ivanhoe”, in which Innes played the Fool, Wamba, and Michael played Saxon noble, Athelstane.

Michael Gothard would also work with Michael Caine again, on “Jack the Ripper.”

Michael Gothard's own account of his on-set reunion with Michael Caine, in 1988 can be found here

Incidentally, Michael Caine has confessed that (unlike Michael Gothard) he is a terrible rider, and was lucky to escape unharmed during “The Last Valley.”

"I am absolutely useless. I act as though I can ride. In “The Last Valley,” I led a charge. If I'd have come off, they'd have all run over me.”


Watch "The Last Valley" on Youtube:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Part 10

Details on IMDB

Publicity materials and marketing ideas from the press book for "The Last Valley"

This is one of a number of posters, some with different text, but most featuring Michael's character, Hansen, bottom left.



This was one of the publicity "blocks" available for hire by the cinemas.



The press book also included many marketing initiatives, such as a teacher's press pack, a painting competition, merchandise such as jewellery and fashions based on the film, and the opportunity to win a holiday.










This plot synopsis was supplied.

Plot synopsis discrepancy

In the plot synopsis supplied in press pack, the death of Michael Gothard's character, Hansen, is described as follows:

"Hansen returns with new recruits. A fierce and bloody skirmish follows. Hansen is trapped and the Captain shoots him."

However, this is not how Hansen dies - in fact, we don't witness his death on film.

The Captain does fire a shot, hitting either Hansen or his horse, which falls on top of him. Hansen then struggles out from under his horse, barely able to stand.

The child soldier, Julio, then runs from cover, and hits Hansen from behind, with a vicious blow from a flail. Hansen goes down, writhing on the ground, half-paralysed.

Hansen calls out for Vogel, obviously seeing him as the most compassionate of the triumvirate that now rules the village, and begs him: “Give me a knife. Don’t leave me alive. Please Vogel”, but Vogel is unmoved.

Hansen then calls to Father Sebastian: “Help me. I’m a Catholic, please for the love of God”, but the priest is equally impassive.

Then Hansen manages to turn to look at The Captain, saying, “He’s the Devil incarnate!”

The Captain just calls for one of his men, Graff, who stands over Hansen, and draws a small knife from his hat.

The Captain had already stated that the penalty for rape would be castration, and we are left to imagine what subsequently occurs.


Full plot synopsis as supplied:

Vogel (OMAR SHARIF), once a teacher, is now wandering, begging. He comes upon a beautiful village, untouched by the ravages and the Thirty Years’ War.

A band of ruthless mercenaries led by their captain (Michael Caine) surrounds the village and shortly thereafter Vogel begins a verbal battle for his life and the survival of the village. He convinces the Captain to spare these people and winter there away from the war, to protect the village in return for comfortable lodgings. After the Captain tells his men of the new plan, some of them rebel against it.

Inge Hoffman (MADELINE HINDE), innocent and very beautiful, and Erica (FLORINDA BOLKAN), elegant and fascinating, are returning to the village unaware of the soldiers’ presence. Some of the mercenaries begin to molest Inge, but she is led away by her father (ARTHUR O’CONNELL).

At the Captain’s request to see Gruber (NIGEL DAVENPORT), who is head of the village, Vogel finds him with his family and Father Sebastian (PER OSCARSSON), the village priest, at the shrine. Vogel tells him of the Captain’s bargain, and in spite of objections from the priest, Gruber agrees.

Vogel becomes very ill and is nursed back to health by Inge, Erica and Frau Hoffman (IRENE PRADOR).
The Captain himself wants Erica but she is Gruber’s mistress. Erica becomes his property when he challenges Gruber at dice and wins.

Tensions begin to tighten. Led by Father Sebastian, the villagers and Catholic soldiers are angered when the Captain moves the holy shrine. Vogel cools their tempers.

That evening at the shrine Hansen (MICHAEL GOTHARD) tries to rape Inge, but Vogel saves her. Later, Hansen and his men try unsuccessfully to ambush the Captain. They flee from the village, but Hansen vows to return with more men.

Inge tells Andreas (CHRISTIAN ROBERTS), her childhood sweetheart, that she will not marry him. She is in love with Vogel. The Captain, who falls in love with Erica, suspects her of witchcraft and questions her about her past.

Hansen returns with new recruits. A fierce and bloody skirmish follows. Hansen is trapped and the Captain shoots him. The village is at peace for a short while. Then with news of approaching armies, the Captain prepares for war again and leaves with his men.

Father Sebastian and Gruber, fearful of the situation, go into hiding. Father Sebastian discovers Erica praying to Satan and condemns her to be burned as a witch. A mercenary left behind to protect the village fights with the priest and they fall into the fire to die with Erica.

When the Captain badly wounded, returns to the village, he meets Inge and Vogel in the forest, who warn him of an ambush ordered by Gruber. But he dies, before the attack. Vogel leaves the village alone and the valley is safe once more …

The Last Valley: extracts from reviews

This Island Rod

"… the rapacious Hansen (Michael Gothard) is given to stirring up trouble, eventually raising a rival band of brigands to contest the valley …

The evocation of a blasted, cruel, evil epoch isn’t as ineffaceable or provocative as that in Ken Russell’s 'The Devils' from the same year (they both sport cast member Gothard, with his gift for portraying multiple varieties of creep) but shares some imagery and mood, combined with high-riding sweep of narrative."

Full review


Deitmar Zingl in 70 mm News:

“Michael Caine is especially fond of TLV. It's one of his own favorite movies. He uses a slight German accent for his role as Captain Hauptmann, the cool warrior with a wounded soul.

Omar Sharif is the romantic intellectual, some kind of Zhivago lost in Germany. Per Oscarsson is a religious fanatic priest, wonderfully over the top, as most of the religious fanatics, even today. Florinda Bolkan is the independent woman in a male dominated society and pays a high price for her independence.

More wonderful actors are Nigel Davenport, Arthur O‘Connell and the wild and angry Michael Gothard as Hansen. His performance resembles that of Klaus Kinski in "Aguirre, The Wrath of God" although that came two years later.”

Full review


Ian Christie – Daily Express, 7 April 1971

“…in the hands of director James Clavell, it has an epic quality that never loses its fascination.”


Daily Mail, 1971

“A film whose action speaks so much more eloquently than words.”


Financial Times, 1971

“Burst of action, effectively staged.”


Daily Mirror, 1971

“Lusty escapism and action … hefty and exciting high spots … always engrossing.”


The Guardian, 1971

“They don’t make films like James Clavell’s “The Last Valley” any more. … a genuine attempt to summon up a period.”


Sunday Times, 1971

“The violence proceeds naturally from the action and doesn’t undermine its own anti-war theme.”


Sunday Telegraph, 1971

“The film works up a satisfying atmosphere of unquiet calm.”


The People, 1971

“Michael Caine, slickest of contemporary film heroes. A splendid spectacle. A fine cast supports Michael.”


New York Post

“One of the most absorbing film entertainments of the year! A picture that enthralls from start to finish! An historical thriller, realistic in setting, romantically touching and meaningful ...”


Richard Schickel - Life Magazine

“One of the most intelligent movies I’ve seen.”


Vincent Canby - New York Times

“A story of survival set in a magnificent valley like Bertolt Brecht in ‘Mother Courage’, Mr Clavell ses the incredible horrors of the Thirty Years’ War as a metaphor for contemporary horrors … Caine and Sharif are quite good.”


Martha Deane - WOR Radio

“One of the most profound, impressive and important films as seen. I was continually moved by its theme and performances.”


David Goldman - WCBS Radio

“The acting is first rate with Michael Caine doing the best work of his career. An unusual movie-going experience.”


WMCA Radio

“Right in the class of Ben Hur.”


Other reviews

DVD Talk
In Stereo
New York Times
Cane Toad Warrior
rtbot

The Last Valley: Screencaps

This film is set during the Thirty Years War. It looks at what people will tolerate, what compromises they will make, and what they are prepared to do, to preserve their way of life.

Omar Sharif stars, as Vogel, and Michael Caine as a man known only as “The Captain.” This Captain heads a ruthless troop of mercenaries, of which Hansen, played by Michael Gothard, is a member. During the complex mish-mash of wars that rages throughout Europe, causing devastation to the populace, often with religion as the reason or the excuse, this band of killers offers its services to the highest bidder, or to whichever side is winning.

Near the start of the film, we see the mercenaries looting a poor and muddy village, and terrorising the occupants. Here, Hansen enthusiastically uses a pitchfork to kill a villager, and is about to slaughter an ox with his axe.


( Read more... )

The Last Valley: Chinese publicity

It is perhaps unsurprising that a film of this epic scope and quality would appeal to the Chinese market.

The Last Valley: scans from cinema programme

( Read more... )

The Last Valley: lobby cards

Hansen (Michael Gothard) with Inge (Madeleine Hinde). They also appeared together in the "Arthur of the Britons" episode, "Daughter of the King."



Hansen has a difference of opinion, and settles it in the usual way.



Hansen leads a group of Catholic mercenaries and villagers, to protest about a shrine being moved.



This still shows the moment when Hansen realises that his supporters have deserted him, and that he is trapped.



The writing on the back of this still indicates that the film was shown at a Gaumont Cinema, in a Spanish-speaking country, where the film was titled "The Sword and the Rose."

The still was acquired from someone living in Buenos Aires, so it seems likely that it was used to advertise the film when it was shown in Argentina.