Massoud: the Afghan

1998

1h 29m

Documentary

History

Drama

War

List

83%

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

100%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Christophe de Ponfilly's study of Afghanistan starts during his first visit in 1981. During the next 17 years, he visits numerous times, with his camera's gaze on Tajik leader Ahmad Shah Massoud. Over the years, Massoud leads the mujahideen into battle against the Soviets, then against the Taliban. Ponfilly focuses on Massoud's 1997 struggle with the Taliban, using earlier footage and interviews with Massoud and his colleagues to paint a portrait of the man many call the Lion of Panjshir.

A.O. Scott

New York Times

Massoud's story is an epic, but also a tragedy, the record of a tenacious, humane fighter who was also the prisoner (and ultimately the victim) of history.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 4, 2002

Full Review

Jonathan Foreman

New York Post

An invaluable historical document thanks to the filmmaker's extraordinary access to Massoud, whose charm, cultivation and devotion to his people are readily apparent.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 4, 2002

Full Review

J. Hoberman

Village Voice

It's not the least of Afghan tragedies that this noble warlord would be consigned to the dustbin of history.

Dec 3, 2002

Full Review

Maria Garcia

Film Journal International

The most revealing images--those of Massoud at his most vulnerable--are buried under mounds of poorly edited footage and [de Ponfilly's] own boyish admiration.

Jan 21, 2003

Full Review

Phil Villarreal

Arizona Daily Star

History's bittersweet footnote is that though Massoud did not survive, his cause did. The spirit of Massoud the Afghan lives on.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 17, 2003

Full Review

Ken Fox

TV Guide

History has since overtaken Ponfilly's film, which now more than ever seems like but one chapter in a much larger story -- the ongoing tragedy of Afghanistan -- and a tragic tribute to all that might have been.

Rated: 3.5/5

Dec 4, 2002

Full Review

Read all reviews

Audience Member

Chef d'oeuvre documentaire...rien d'autres Ã dire....=)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Saw it in 2000, and loved Massoud for his heroic commitment. It is a must-see, but tells a sad tale of the victory of barbarism over civilisation, and the destuction of beauty. Nobody ever listened to Massoud as he warned the West against Bin Laden's terrorist enterprises. Who wants to listen now? The sharp contrast between the Afghan ways and the "coalition forces" is appalling! What a lost opportunity, the coallition has already handed over the victory to the Talebs! An eye-opener on Afghanistan.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

De Ponfilly, a real afghan lover, followed Massoud long time before he became famous. One of the best documentary I have seen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

"En soufflant sur le feu, la CIA a disperse les braises a travers le monde..." Check out de Ponfilly's other release on Afghanistan: L' Etoile Du Soldat [2006]

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Very impressive documental. Passionate, strongly biased, but the author makes it clear. If you can see it, just do.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Christophe de Ponfilly

Director

Christophe de Ponfilly

Self

Ahmad Shah Massoud

Self

Merabuddine

Self

Christophe de Ponfilly

Writer

Thierry Garrel

Producer

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

This Is Congo

95%

84%

This Is Congo

They Shall Not Grow Old

99%

91%

They Shall Not Grow Old

TRAILER

for They Shall Not Grow Old

Uncovered: The War on Iraq

77%

70%

Uncovered: The War on Iraq

Last Days in Vietnam

95%

84%

Last Days in Vietnam

Why We Fight

78%

88%

Why We Fight

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Christophe de Ponfilly's study of Afghanistan starts during his first visit in 1981. During the next 17 years, he visits numerous times, with his camera's gaze on Tajik leader Ahmad Shah Massoud. Over the years, Massoud leads the mujahideen into battle against the Soviets, then against the Taliban. Ponfilly focuses on Massoud's 1997 struggle with the Taliban, using earlier footage and interviews with Massoud and his colleagues to paint a portrait of the man many call the Lion of Panjshir.

Director: Christophe de Ponfilly
Producer: Thierry Garrel
Screenwriter: Christophe de Ponfilly, Christophe de Ponfilly
Genre: Documentary, History, Drama, War
Original Language: French (France)
Box Office (Gross USA): $26.7K
Runtime: 1h 29m