Army of Shadows

Jean- Pierre Melville draws from Thomas Kessel’s 1943 novel in this exceptionally realised depiction of the French Resistance movement against Nazi Occupation, which has become the benchmark for this genre unto itself.

Army of Shadows questions the heroism of its members, as morals and notions of honor are tested on the path towards liberation. Treachery, self sacrifice, plots and knuckle-biting escapes are featured with gritty realism in Melville’s most personal feature, much of which derives from his own experience in The Resistance.

Army of Shadows’ release in France was initially met with hostility as opinions of the resistance movement shifted towards scepticism, induced by Marcel Ophüls’ myth-busting documentary on the prevalence of collaboration, 'The Sorrow and the Pity' (1969), and fraying attitudes towards the movement’s symbolic figure head, President Charles De Gaulle. On the other hand, Melville’s relentless portrayal of brutality used against and by The Resistance resulted in the film’s declassification in the US until 2006.
Army of Shadows has since triumphed to unanimous acclaim owing as much to Melville’s sombre direction as it does to its stellar performances; Lino Ventura’s portrayal of a betrayed Philippe Gerbier is tragic as it is chilling and Simone Signoret once again displays a commanding screen presence.

This haunting exploration of the human spirit in adversity is an authoritative and balanced homage to the warriors who stood up to Nazi oppression.