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Movies / On DVD / Army of Shadows
Army of Shadows

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Army of Shadows (1969)

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Reviews Counted:71

Fresh:69

Rotten:2

Average Rating:8.6/10

Consensus: Originally made in 1969, this recently reissued classic is a masterful examination of the inner workings of the World War II resistance efforts.

Rated: Not Rated

Runtime: 2 hrs 25 mins

Genre: Dramas

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

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Jun 2, 2009

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Philippe Granier escapes from Gestapo headquarters in Paris where he is to be interrogated on his resistance activity. Returning to his organization in Marseilles, he executes the traitor who betrayed him. But the Gestapo is on the alert and Philippe is soon arrested once more.
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    Reviews for Army of Shadows

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    Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
    04/23/09
    Steve Vineberg
    Steve Vineberg
    Boston Phoenix

    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 Source: Looking Closer | comment Comment
    08/22/07
    Jeffrey Overstreet
    Jeffrey Overstreet
    Looking Closer

    As close to a masterpiece as any film you're likely to see this year.

    Full Review Source: Seattle Times | comment Comment
    08/17/07
    Jeff Shannon
    Jeff Shannon
    Seattle Times

    a stunning, globetrotting spy masterpiece

    Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
    05/15/07
    Chris Cabin
    Chris Cabin
    Filmcritic.com

    A film to be seen and savored for its moral magnitude.

    Full Review Source: New York Observer | comment Comment
    04/25/07
    Andrew Sarris
    Andrew Sarris
    New York Observer
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

    Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
    03/01/07
    Doris Toumarkine
    Doris Toumarkine
    Film Journal International

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

    Full Review Source: Arizona Daily Star | comment Comment
    02/15/07
    Phil Villarreal
    Phil Villarreal
    Arizona Daily Star

    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 Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
    02/02/07
    Emanuel Levy
    Emanuel Levy
    EmanuelLevy.Com

    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 Source: Kalamazoo Gazette | comment Comment
    02/02/07
    James Sanford
    James Sanford
    Kalamazoo Gazette

    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 Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune | comment Comment
    01/26/07
    Colin Covert
    Colin Covert
    Minneapolis Star Tribune
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    A superb contribution from an A-class film-maker.

    Full Review Source: Compuserve | comment Comment
    01/19/07
    Harvey S. Karten
    Harvey S. Karten
    Compuserve

    One of the masterpieces of its era and its genre.

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

    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 Source: Rolling Stone | comment Comment
    01/18/07
    Peter Travers
    Peter Travers
    Rolling Stone
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    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 Source: Murphy's Movie Reviews | comment Comment
    01/11/07
    Ted Murphy
    Ted Murphy
    Murphy's Movie Reviews

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

    Full Review Source: Goatdog's Movies | comment Comment
    12/30/06
    Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
    Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
    Goatdog's Movies

    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 Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
    11/18/06
    Marjorie Baumgarten
    Marjorie Baumgarten
    Austin Chronicle

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

    Full Review Source: Nation | comment Comment
    11/11/06
    Stuart Klawans
    Stuart Klawans
    Nation

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

    Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
    10/20/06
    Jeff Vice
    Jeff Vice
    Deseret News, Salt Lake City

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

    Full Review Source: Salt Lake Tribune | comment Comment
    10/20/06
    Sean Means
    Sean Means
    Salt Lake Tribune

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

    Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
    10/07/06
    Dennis Schwartz
    Dennis Schwartz
    Ozus' World Movie Reviews
     
     
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