This Land Is Mine (1943)
This Land Is Mine Photos
Movie Info
Watch it now
Cast
as Albert Lory
as Louise Martin
as George Lambert
as Major Von Keller
as Paul Martin
as Mrs. Emma Lory
as Prof. Sorel
as Mayor Henry Manville
as Prosecuting Attorney
as Julie Grant
as Judge
as Edmund Lorraine
as Lt. Schwartz
as Little Man
as Mr. Lorraine
as Mrs. Lorraine
as German Captain
as Woman in Street
as Lieutenant
as German Chauffeur
as German Captain
as German Lieutenant
as Lieutenant
as German Lieutenant
as German Soldier
as German Soldier
as German Soldier
as German Soldier
as German Soldier
as German Soldier
as German Soldier
as German Sergeant
as German Sergeant
as German Sergeant
as German Sergeant
as German Sergeant
as Karl
as Newsman
as Policeman
as Printer
as Soldier Who Gets Slapped
as Mayor's Secretary
as Priest
as Chief of Police
as Julian
as Burly Cop
as Otto
as Burly Cop
as Woman in Street
as Clerk
as Young Woman
as Old Woman
as Old Woman
as Emily
as Paper Man in Street
as Girl
as Woman at Window
as Photo Double
as Boy
as Jury Foreman
as Bit in Courtroom
as Butcher
Critic Reviews for This Land Is Mine
All Critics (7) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (5) | Rotten (2)
Jean Renoir's 1943 film has its passionate defenders; the unfortunate thing, though, is that it needs them.
One of his quietest and least startling.
It should have been stronger drama than it is. But for the points it does make and its concept of man as a continuing vessel for freedom's fire, it is certainly well worth seeing. It comes close, even if doesn't quite hit the mark.
Fails to be as inspirational when viewed today as it probably was during its day.
It moves along like a well-oiled machine until the devestating final act ties all of the smaller stories together, making it's point without being overbearing or obvious.
There is no black and white, no good or evil. There is only grey, and, in that grey area, an understanding of the frailty of human nature.
Audience Reviews for This Land Is Mine
In "This Land Is Mine," lonely schoolteacher Albert(Charles Laughton, who is superb) finds there is something more frightening than his domineering mother(Una O'Connor) when the Nazis occupy his village. As usual, his students do not respect him, even though his fellow schoolteacher Louise(Maureen O'Hara), who he has a crush on, is kind to him but then she is engaged to George(George Sanders), the manager of the railyards where her brother Paul(Kent Smith) works. Regardless, Albert and Louise follow orders and tear out pages in the history books that do not correspond with the Nazis' narrow view of history. Major von Keller(Walter Slezak) just wants everything to be business as usual but then there is a suspicious accident at the railyards... On the surface, there are certain similarities between "This Land Is Mine" and Jean Renoir's previous "Grand Illusion" about camaraderie between supposed enemies. In the six years between the films, the world had changed radically(not to mention the films are about different wars) and while the Nazis in "This Land Is Mine" might at first seem polite and urbane(von Keller certainly knows his Latin), the villagers should never view them as friends, as food shortages and censorship are only the beginning, much worse being hinted at. What Renoir has on his mind is not a recruitment film, but more a call to arms of sorts against tyranny of all shapes and sizes that displays more than one form of courage.(Ostensibly, the movie is set in France but it could be anywhere.) All of which is handled in a nuanced style and is well-filmed, especially its opening shot and two action sequences. While the movie might follow a familiar trajectory with a climactic speech, it is a perfectly eloquent speech.
Super Reviewer
This Land Is Mine Quotes
There are no approved quotes yet for this movie.