MovieChat Forums > L'armée des ombres (1970) Discussion > A remarkable achievement...

A remarkable achievement...

posted 18 years ago by pharmaci911
12 replies | jump to latest

Army of shadows is a simply a stunning film, and a testament to how great films USED to be before the ADD generation and hollywood bastardized our moviegoing consciousness.

This film is hard to categorize, as it's a thriller with no thrills, an action movie with no action, and a period film that isn't realistic, rather stylized and sad, with characters bathed in near darkness.

The film takes its time depicting the horrors endured by a group of French resistance fighters at the dawn of the German occupation of France. It is not a documentary and its not about "the truth", as Melville wisely recognices that realism must be mixed with fiction to make a bigger statement.

The cast, Led by the cool and collective Leno Ventura, is uniformly excellent. Mellville's characters atypically are not heroes, they do not make heroic acts that make audiences clap, the themes he explores here are the complications of survival, the direction is clinical and precise in achieveing that objective.

Never seen in almost 37 years (can you beleive that?) the film has been gloriously restored and the monocromatic color scheme and almost impenetrable darkness shines throught.

Criterion's DVD is highly recommended, when a 37 year old film tops critic's year end lists it's the strenght of the film that is the statement. They don't make them like this anymore.

Highly recommended, but for mature filmgoers only. You like explosions ? Hate slow movies? hate the french? go watch something else.

A masterpiece, and one of the best films of the 60's in my humble opinion.

[–] thao 18 years ago

Agree. Amazing film.

- This comment is most likely authentic and fairly close to what I intended to say -

[–] Chirpy_Sabz 18 years ago

uh huh...

[–] PoppyTransfusion 11 years ago

Overall a good review except I disagree with this - they do not make heroic acts that make audiences clap. I guess it depends on the audience but the actions of Jean-Francois and Felix made me clap. Upon reflection the sacrifices made by all made me clap, especially Mathilde. The characters of this film define the word hero that gets applied erroneously to characters who do and escape unbelievable things and act most floridly.

Movement ends, intent continues;
Intent ends, spirit continues

[–] activista 10 years ago

@PoppyTranfusion

Just saw this film myself, and really thought the cinematography was impressive, even though it mostly seems to have been shot in dark blue or gray colors. Didn't mind, because it looked beautiful anyway. Enjoyed the film, and how realistic it was, compared to other films. its lack of flashiness compared o the average war film, and its length is what probably got it dismissed when it first came out. Been wanting to see this since it was rediscovered back in 2007, and glad I did.

About the heroics--you're right---they aren't the big in-your-face-type of heroics---they tended to be, in this film, just quiet acts of self-sacrifice and committed dedication to the cause, no matter what the outcome would be---even if that same outcome was absolute certain death at the hands of German officers. I liked the characters too, and how dealt with the day-to-day activities of being in the Resistance and how that gradually takes its toll on them physically and emotionally. Wouldn't mind seeing other films about the subject matter, due to seeing this one.

[–] PoppyTransfusion 10 years ago

they aren't the big in-your-face-type of heroics---they tended to be, in this film, just quiet acts of self-sacrifice and committed dedication to the cause, no matter what the outcome would be

This is what defines a hero to me. Someone who stands firm with courage in their hearts.

Wouldn't mind seeing other films about the subject matter, due to seeing this one.

You could try Melville's Le Silence de la Mer. I didn't like it I have to say but it deals with ordinary people resisting the Nazis as best they can. Rossellini's Roma Città Aperta seems to me allied to this film. I'd also recommend Went the Day Well? The latter is a British production made at the height of WW2 as a propaganda piece and shows how the people in a sleepy village defend against fifth columnists. It's surprisingly gritty and violent, which was unexpected.

I give my respect to those who have earned it; to everyone else, I'm civil.

[–] Squeeth2 10 years ago

~~~~Went the Day Well? The latter is a British production made at the height of WW2 as a propaganda piece and shows how the people in a sleepy village defend against fifth columnists. It's surprisingly gritty and violent~~~~

I flinch every time I see a pepper pot.

Marlon, Claudia and Dimby the cats 1989-2005, 2007 and 2010.

[–] DBloodnok 9 years ago

Well, whenever I see the humble Tommy Atkins playing a game of cards, I always make sure to check how they write out their scores.....continental '7's and I immediately reach for my chopper.

"Someone has been tampering with Hank's memories."

[–] Squeeth2 9 years ago

Those beastly huns.

Marlon, Claudia and Dimby the cats 1989-2005, 2007 and 2010.

[–] DBloodnok 9 years ago

Let's not be beastly to the Germans.

"Someone has been tampering with Hank's memories."

[–] SamoanJoes 10 years ago

I agree. Also, I can't get over how amazing Melville's direction is.

[–] DBloodnok 9 years ago

I agree - spare and understated.

"Someone has been tampering with Hank's memories."

[–] Jes' Sayin' (6543) 3 days ago

It's a spy film, really.