A film to be seen and savored for its moral magnitude.
Army of Shadows (1969)
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Reviews Counted:22
Fresh:21
Rotten:1
Average Rating:8.4/10
Consensus: Originally made in 1969, this recently reissued classic is a masterful examination of the inner workings of the World War II resistance efforts.
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... 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]
Starring: Lino Ventura, Paul Meurisse, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Simone Signoret
Starring: Lino Ventura, Paul Meurisse, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Simone Signoret, Paul Crauchet
Director: Jean-Pierre Melville
Director: Jean-Pierre Melville
Studio: Rialto Pictures
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Reviews for Army of Shadows
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.
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.
For anyone interested in the impact of war on ordinary men, Army of Shadows proves a sobering and invaluable experience.
This memorable movie movingly pays tribute to those who chose not to remain silent, to those ordinary men and women who chose to do extraordinary things... from the shadows.
A painstaking study in courage and conviction under agonizing pressure.
Deals with the French resistance during World War II, but it's nothing like any other French resistance film ever made.
The results bear witness to a time when sacrifice was bleached of everything but itself.
What’s so devastating about Army of Shadows is how physically we respond to the terrible decisions faced by the resistance fighters.
Rarely has a film shown so truly that place in the heart where hope lives with fatalism.
It becomes overwhelming as we watch -- a classic of life in the underground, of terror, love, friendship, betrayal, and of death hovering over all.
... the most meaningful atmosphere of exquisite suspense you're likely to see at the movies this year. Or most years.
It's a strange enough film, yet weirdly great. No movie has quite gotten the clammy weight of fear, the sense of hopelessness that would necessarily haunt underground workers.
[Those] with a weakness for dry heroism, dark-toned humor, and storytelling of pantherish pace and grace -- in short, lovers of cinema -- should reach for their fedoras, turn up the collars of their coats, and sneak to this picture through a mist of rain.
The cast of characters is small and well-drawn by an ensemble of veteran actors.
Almost 40 years after it was made, Army of Shadows has more to tell us about the internal toll of war and taking a stand than anything Hollywood has produced.
Latest News for Army of Shadows
October 05, 2006:
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