The Sorrow and the Pity (Le Chagrin et la Pitié) (1972)
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Critic Reviews for The Sorrow and the Pity (Le Chagrin et la Pitié)
All Critics (27) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (27) | Rotten (0)
Watch for Pierre Mendès-France, who makes you feel better about the human race after the rest of the film has made you despair.
It's valuable mainly as a brilliant assemblage of documents and testimonies.
The mosaic is comprehensive, the documentation overwhelming, particularly regarding the nature and extent of collaboration.
In its complexity, its humanity, its refusal to find easy solutions, this is one of the greatest documentaries ever made.
It soberly spotlights history -- impressively human, not pedantic, levels.
It remains the preeminent documentary about historical tragedy and one of the most exhilaratingly demanding experiences the movies have ever offered.
Audience Reviews for The Sorrow and the Pity (Le Chagrin et la Pitié)
I had always thought devotion to this movie was being made fun of in Annie Hall, until I saw it (and it takes a while to see it). The drama is amazing during the second half, with all you know about the characters from the first.
Super Reviewer
[font=Century Gothic]Directed by Marcel Ophuls, "The Sorrow and the Pity" is an epic documentary about the occupation of France by Nazi Germany from 1940-1944 during World War II, with the spotlight on the city of Clermont which is close to Vichy. The documentary starts out by being a damning examination of the French surrender and capitulation, leading to a collaboration with the Nazis that led to increased anti-Semitism, which may not have totally faded decades later. And in one horrific instance, the French authorities outdo the Nazis in cruelty. The bourgeoisie are portrayed as living their lives as usual during the occupation but the Communists who formed a good deal of the resistance are treated much better. Anti-Communist fervor was a factor that led the French ultra-nationalists to work with the Nazis.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]The documentary consists of interviews with English, French and German participants recalling their wartime experiences a quarter century after the fact. Most prominent of the interviewees are Anthony Eden and Pierre Mendes-France. Also shown are clips from Nazi propaganda films.[/font]
Super Reviewer
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