During the Second World War, 130,000 North Africans enlisted in the reconstituted French Army, risking their lives for a country they hardly knew. Oscar-nominated Days of Glory chronicles this lesser-known story, charting the heroism which these brave soldiers showed for a country which later turned its back on them. It's a damning attack on France showing the injustices the North Africans faced during the war (hardly being recognised or respected by their peers) and the discrimination they faced later from the French authorities.

At least, though, the award-winning film has moved mountains since opening and sometimes that's the best you can ask of a film. President Jacques Chirac for instance after seeing it was so shamed by the words before the final credits that he instantly restored pensions to the North Africans who had bravely fought for France.

During the course of the film, we follow the progress of four young North Africans in their bid to make a dent in the Nazi Army's progress, and to stay alive in the process. Among them is a goatherder, for instance, called Said (Jamel Debbouze) and his friend Yassir (Samy Naceri).

The film grows on you. You have to get to know the characters which does take a little time, but by the final reel, you feel the fear that they are experiencing and you're well and truly on their side as they bravely take on fierce odds against them, in a memorable village battle. Saving Private Ryan-like? Certainly, by then.

The film intelligently picks out cultural differences - the way the young Algerians can't understand why anyone should want to live with the poor, French weather, showing one of them encountering a pillow for the very first time and the way they smell the Provence soil, noticing the differences from their own just from the smell. Fascinating stuff, with that all-important damning of the French government over pension rights at the very end.

This is one of the most significant war films to have been released for some time. It's educational and it has an unusual angle that has been rarely shown before. Well acted, well directed and clearly well researched, perhaps a little rough at the edges sure, but Days of Glory still deserves to do well.