L'armée des ombres

Adaptation of a war novel by Joseph Kessel, published in 1943.

The epigraph of the film: "Sad memories – I also welcome you because you part of my past." These are the words of the playwright George Courteline, but his name in the credits no.

The WWII movie "the Silence of the sea" (1949), Melville actually began his career in the movies. 20 years later, famous primarily as the author of the crime tape, he returned to the subject of war, ekraniziroval autobiographical novel by Joseph Kessel, a former member of the Resistance. Put "Army of shadows" he dreamed of a quarter of a century since, when first read the book.

Melville talked about: "Now I said about the war".

Scene German March on the Champs Elysees had to shut down the movie. However, Melville decided to move it to the beginning.

After the release of the film was subjected to severe criticism. The Melville was accused of obscurantism, and that it took "a typically Gaullist grandstanding". But for the Director it was more important relationship to the film surviving members of the Resistance. During a special preview organized for the author of "Army of shadows" and his associates, Melville carefully watched their reaction. On the final credits Joseph Kessel couldn't hold back the tears.

The second – and last – time, after the "Second breath" (1966), the main role of Melville played by Lino Ventura.

General Charles de Gaulle, or rather, his figure in the frame (because face we never see) played by Adrien Cayla-Legrand

Ten years before Televisionmore and Paul Meriss already played the Resistance in the drama of the Julien Duvivier's "Marie-October" (1959).

After the restoration, which was supervised by operator Pierre Lomme, company Rialto Pictures in 2006 he released firmly forgotten by the time the film of Melville in limited us theaters. According to George. Of Hoberman, almost 40 years after its premiere the film has finally "emerged from the mists of time as an epic tragedy, and the apotheosis of the Director's career." In the USA the film has collected 741 733 dollars. The Association of critics in new York called "Army of shadows" the best foreign film of the year.

In the book Jean-françois finds out that his brother Luke is also a member of the Resistance. In the film, he never finds out.

Jean-françois says himself the denunciation to be in a cell with Felix. In the book there is this storyline.

Serge Reggiani also appears in the films of Melville, the second and last time. However, if the "Rat" (1962) he played the main role here plays only a cameo Barber, in fact, Harbor had just fled Gerbier.