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Army of Shadows

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Army of Shadows (1969)

97%
95%
91%
N/A
N/A
N/A
97 %
Reviews Counted: 68 Fresh: 66  Rotten:2 Average Rating: 8.6/10
 
Consensus: Originally made in 1969, this recently released film takes a powerful, masterful look at the determination and subtle, internal workings of the mind in the face of fighting a futile resistance.
 

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Rated: Not Rated

Runtime: 2 hrs 25 mins

Theatrical Release: Apr 28, 2006 Limited

Box Office: $231,660

Synopsis: Well-known for his influential crime films (LE SAMOURAI, LE CERCLE ROUGE), director Jean-Pierre Melville explores the lives of French Resistance fighters in his moody World War II masterpiece, ARMY OF SHADOWS. Restrained and controlled, the film follows Philippe Gerbier (Lino Ventura)... Well-known for his influential crime films (LE SAMOURAI, LE CERCLE ROUGE), director Jean-Pierre Melville explores the lives of French Resistance fighters in his moody World War II masterpiece, ARMY OF SHADOWS. Restrained and controlled, the film follows Philippe Gerbier (Lino Ventura) and other members of the underground as they carry out clandestine missions against Nazi occupiers. And while there are some exciting scenes (air drops, escape attempts), the film largely avoids action-film histrionics. Its tone is a subdued one and tension results from its quiet moments, interrupted by brief, jarring violence. This is appropriate, given the film's subject matter. Silence is the guiding principle of espionage and the film's look--bruised and penumbral--reflects the tenuous position of its characters, who live divided, imperiled existences. There is no glib heroism in ARMY OF SHADOWS; there are only people living through untenable situations, acting as is necessary and sacrificing, perhaps, everything. [More]

Genre: Dramas

Starring: Lino Ventura, Paul Meurisse, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Simone Signoret, Paul Crauchet

Director: Jean-Pierre Melville

DVD Info

Release:

May 15, 2007

[DVD Details]

DVD Features:

  • 2-Disc Set
  • Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85

Audio:

  • Dolby Digital 2.0 - French
  • Subtitles - English - Optional

Additional Release Material:

  • Audio Commentary - Ginette Vincendeau
  • Featurettes - "Film Restoration Demonstration by Pierre Lhomme"
  • Short Films - 1. "L'Armee Des Ombres" (2006)
  • 2. "Le Journal De La Resistance" (1944)
  • Trailers - Theatrical Trailer

Buy It On DVD

Reviews

 
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Ratings Image
A

As bleak as it is compelling, it will leave you wondering if these freedom fighters haven't done more damage to each other than they have to the Nazi aggressors.

Full Review | comment Comment
08/22/07
Jeffrey Overstreet
Looking Closer
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
08/17/07
Jeff Shannon
Seattle Times
Ratings Image
5/5

a stunning, globetrotting spy masterpiece

Full Review | comment Comment
05/15/07
Chris Cabin
Filmcritic.com
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
04/25/07
Andrew Sarris
New York Observer
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
N/A

Rich in the elegance, assurance and quasi-formality that often define Melville's style.

Full Review | comment Comment
03/01/07
Doris Toumarkine
Film Journal International
Ratings Image
3.5/4

The fascination comes in minute observation of the Resistance soldiers' mannerisms, demeanor and interaction.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/15/07
Phil Villarreal
Arizona Daily Star
Ratings Image
A

It's hard to believe that Melville's 1969 masterpiece--one of the most honest and accurate chronicles of the French Resistance--never got released in the US until 2006; Splendidly acted, this personal-political film draws on the helmer's own experience.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/02/07
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Ratings Image
3.5/4

Although it has several suspenseful sequences, "Shadows" is not a spy thriller, precisely. It's much more along the lines of a melancholy mood piece...

Full Review | comment Comment
02/02/07
James Sanford
Kalamazoo Gazette
Ratings Image
3/4

The glacial pacing can be an irritant as the film unfolds -- I repeatedly wanted to speed things up -- but Army of Shadows won't leave you alone after you've seen it.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/26/07
Colin Covert
Minneapolis Star Tribune
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
01/19/07
Harvey S. Karten
Compuserve
Ratings Image
4/4

One of the masterpieces of its era and its genre.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/18/07
Rob Thomas
Capital Times (Madison, WI)
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4/4

From the first sight of German soldiers goose-stepping past the Arc de Triomphe to a postscript that spells out the fate of characters whose moral confusion is all too real, Army of Shadows is a movie of its time -- and ours.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/18/07
Peter Travers
Rolling Stone
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
A-

ARMY OF SHADOWS is a remarkable and superb film, and American audiences should be rejoicing that is finally (if belatedly) has reached theaters.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/11/07
Ted Murphy
Murphy's Movie Reviews
Ratings Image
4.5/5

A fascinating picture of bureaucratic drudgery, even in the middle of war and occupation.

Full Review | comment Comment
12/30/06
Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
Goatdog's Movies
Ratings Image
4.5/5

Unlike the romantic images of freedom fighters perpetuated by the popular media, Melville’s movie is stripped of self-congratulatory hero worship and other puffery.

Full Review | comment Comment
11/18/06
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle
Ratings Image
N/A

There is nothing more to say, except 'Go.'

Full Review | comment Comment
11/11/06
Stuart Klawans
Nation
Ratings Image
3.5/4

Rare is the film that actually improves with time. Among that handful is the 1969 French thriller Army of Shadows.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/20/06
Jeff Vice
Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Ratings Image
3.5/4

Melville stages riveting set pieces, tense little nuggets of men striking in the dark and dealing out death.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/20/06
Sean Means
Salt Lake Tribune
Ratings Image
A

It's a haunting and sublime work that offers a realistic but horrific account of the underground Resistance.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/07/06
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Ratings Image
B+

For anyone interested in the impact of war on ordinary men, Army of Shadows proves a sobering and invaluable experience.

Full Review | comment Comment
09/22/06
Robert Denerstein
Denver Rocky Mountain News
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Related Forums

REEL_REVIEWER
NEW 35mm RESTORATION of Jean Pierre Melville's ARMY OF SHADOWS hits USA screens!!!
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REEL_REVIEWER
NEW 35mm RESTORATION of Jean Pierre Melville's ARMY OF SHADOWS hits USA screens!!!
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NEW 35mm RESTORATION of Jean Pierre Melville's ARMY OF SHADOWS hits USA screens!!!
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REEL_REVIEWER
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A fantastic site on this legend!
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