La 317ème section / The 317th Platoon

This French film, directed by Pierre Schoendoerffer, offers a close examination of French and Laotian soldiers near the end of First Indochina War (1946–1954). A French platoon retreats to Dien Bien Phu to provide reinforcements for the Battle there, which started in March 1954  and lasted three months, but it faces a dangerous trek through the jungle. Tensions between the platoon's leader, an inexperienced officer, and a sergeant, a veteran of World War II, subside as they encounter guerilla soldiers and disease on their way to the decisive battle.