THE FIFTH DAY OF PEACE

Cinemavixion Review

Giuliano Montaldo's "The Fifth Day of Peace" (1970) delivers a stark and compelling post-war drama that transcends the battlefield to explore the enduring complexities of justice and human nature. Set within a Canadian-run POW camp in the immediate aftermath of World War II, the film stages a gripping military tribunal where German prisoners of war are tasked with judging two of their own for desertion. The narrative masterfully pits the defense, led by a corporal played by Franco Nero, against the prosecution, spearheaded by a resolute non-commissioned officer embodied by Bud Spencer. Richard Johnson, as the camp commandant, oversees this tense internal conflict. What unfolds is a profound psychological examination, questioning the applicability of military law when the war itself has concluded. Is this a legitimate pursuit of justice, or a vengeful act by soldiers unable to shed the rigid mindset of conflict? The film, also known as "The Fifth Day of Peace," earned 1 win and 2 nominations and is lauded for its haunting anti-war message, suggesting that the psychological scars of war can linger long after the fighting stops. With a runtime of 110 minutes and a cast that includes seasoned performers, Montaldo crafts an essential piece of cinema that probes the unsettling persistence of wartime mentality.