Based on a Joseph Kessel novel (Coup de Grâce), SIROCCO is a movie directed by Curtis Bernhardt in 1951.
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The setting is Damas, Syria in 1925. Colonel Feroud, the head of the French secret services based in the Syrian capital, is an idealist. He firmly believes, at variance with his direct superior, that he can convince Emir Hassan, the chief of the civilian rebellion against the French garrison, to come to the negotiating table.
But first Feroud must stop the arms dealing with the Syrians. He'll manage to prove that Harry Smith, an American businessman, is the man responsible for this trafic. Meanwhile Damas is under siege, the French soldiers being the target of snipers or guerrilla warfare.
Feroud proposes to Harry Smith, in exchange for his life, to arrange a meeting with Emir Hassan for him. Smith, at first skeptical, will soon change his mind and respect the courage of Feroud who, without his superiors's consent, agrees to disappear into the catacombs of the city in order to approach the Syrian leader.
The review of this Movie prepared by Daniel Staebler
