People are voting emotionally.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

During WWII, a British woman marries a wimpy French soldier after a courtship of about three days. He then dies and she goes off to fight the Germans in his honor, leaving behind their little girl. McKenna is much too cheerful for someone experiencing so many hardships. The film consists of random scenes and veers from dull to corny to ridiculous. There's a scene where McKenna, hopping around on one good leg, engages in a machine gun battle with dozens of German soldiers. She manages to mow down half of them before they are able to capture her. Gilbert, who provides the uninspired direction here, went to on to direct films featuring another British agent, James Bond.

Saw this film in China once in the early 80s and was deeply impressed. The scenes came back to me when I later traveled to Paris.I still remember the two musical excerpts in the movie. First, a rendition of Chopin's Prelude in D-flat major (piano) the other, of a truck-load of French female prisoners singing the French national anthem.What a great price mankind paid for the victory of World War Two! Can we ever learn from these lessons and live in peace? From the sixty years since the end of that war, and especially seeing what is happening all around the world, it seems that there is still a long way to go.Really would like to watch it again or even get a copy of it on DVD. I do have a copy of Charlotte Gray, which is a bit boring, although Cate Blanchette on of my favorite actresses.

I was just wasting time in front of the TV when this movie came on. I was initially interested because of Paul Scofield, who was so wonderful in "A Man for All Seasons" and in "The Crucible." He is indeed excellent in this film, as is the lead actress.The story involves a young British woman who because of her French heritage and married life in France becomes a spy for the British during WWII.Unlike other modern war films, where everyone is "hero" just for waking up in the morning, this film shows people who deserve the name 'the greatest generation.' Just like the characters, the film is understated, as, for example the moment when Violette's father realizes that his daughter is a spy but says nothing. Another moment is when the two spies are in Paris buying a dress for a little girl as if they were merely a couple shopping rather than wanted criminals risking a firing squad. Paul Scofield's quiet "Oh god" expresses volumes, as he realizes what has happened to his friend after they meet in bad circumstances. Even running from the Nazis is understated, with no grandstanding speeches, no "Hollywood" punches and no bullets whizzing underwater. There is only good story, good acting, and good script.This is a story that shows the extraordinary power of ordinary people who do not proclaim their own virtues or demand recognition of their efforts. It is worth watching.

British Director Lewis Gilbert is unknown to most Americans. This is a pity because he has directed a number of "crossover" masterpieces and this true story of wartime heroism is but one of them. The movie reminds me somewhat of The Man Who Never Was, a spy movie which required a woman who had been through a recent tragedy, marvelously played by Gloria Grahame, to use that tragedy to make herself a believable spy. Although she has excellent support by a young Paul Scofield and a non-too-shabby veteran cast, Virginia McKenna must pull off the central character, Violetta Szabo, in order for the film to succeed. She does so without question,and then some. If this movie does not bring tears to your eyes, no movie will.