Good concept, poorly executed.

From my favorite movies..

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

This is one of the most chilling and emotionless depictions of the french resistance during World War 2 ever put to film.You expect to see ruthlessness from the Nazis shown in this two and a half hour raw representation of 1940s resistance underworld but it's the allied sympathisers whose true colours shine through. The monochromatic palate and the undeniable 1960s filming style reflect the lack of remorse the cold killers of the central "protagonists" posses.The whole film feels like a crisp morning with interspersed action emphasised by the random quick zooms that creates tangible tension. This reminds us of the overwhelming fascist presence and the immediacy for retaliation that this requires.I would highly recommend this film to those who enjoy international films or love period pieces that truly deliver in all aspects in which they require to create a film that keeps you on edge for it's entire duration.

"Army of Shadows" looks like it was made in the '40s. It was in fact made in 1969 by Jean-Pierre Melville. Its timing couldn't have been worse, as De Gaulle was unpopular at the time. This film was thought to glorify the Free French Resistance and therefore DeGaulle. It wasn't until later that it was discovered as a true masterpiece.A little history here - France didn't feel it could beat the Nazis (how many Frenchmen does it take to defend Paris? No one knows, it's never happened) but DeGaulle knew that France could and formed the Free French Resistance. The story takes place in France, 1942, during the Nazi occupation. Philippe Gerbier (Lino Ventura), who also narrates, is one of the major heads of the French resistance. He escapes from an internment camp and joins his group in Marseilles. What we see then is the true workings of the French resistance - the daily sacrifices, the loyalty, the arrests, working on escapes, the killings, the hiding, and doing what they must not only to survive but to keep the movement alive. Simone Signoret is Mathilde, one of the bravest and most admired resistance fighter. A wonderful performance as always, that of an earthy woman who seems to be the rock of the group.Lino Ventura, a fascinating man in his own right, is efficient in his performance, so non-spy or resistance-like, demonstrating that bravery and fight are not just for the young.There is nothing James Bond-like here, no CGI, just life for the Resistance during World War II. Torture is alluded to but not shown. One of the best moments is an act of heroism that takes place in prison.The film is based on a novel by Joseph Kessel, which mixed in his own work with the Resistance. Jean-Pierre Melville, the director, aided and abetted by Alain Delon, invented the cerebral hit man. Though best known for his crime movies, this is perhaps his best work. Beautifully photographed in muted colors, the dialogue until the end is spare, as is Melville's clean, straightforward direction.Though this is an exceptional film, I want to point out some others - some reviewers talk about the resistance being glamorized. Perhaps in Hollywood, but I would highly recommend Female Agents and Carve Her Name with Pride as two wonderful films that endeavor to tell the story of true, quiet heroism. Watch it through to the end, as the film gives the fate of many of the characters.Don't miss an opportunity to see this sobering film.

In 1942, in France, the engineer and chief of a cell of resistance Philippe Gerbier (Lino Ventura) is arrested and sent to a prisoner camp. He succeeds to escape and together with Felix Lepercq (Paul Crauchet) and the resistance killer Claude "The Mask" Ullmann (Claude Mann), they kidnap the traitor that gave him away to the Germans and execute him. Gerbier travels to London to discuss external support to the resistance and meanwhile Felix is captured by the Germans and tortured. The resistance members Mathilde (Simone Signoret), Guillaume "Bison" Vermersch (Christian Barbier) and the Mask unsuccessfully try to rescue him. But the brother of the resistance chief Luc Jardie (Paul Meurisse), Jean François Jardie (Jean-Pierre Cassel), sacrifices himself to have the chance to give a cyanide pill to Felix. Along the months the group operates until the day one member is captured by the Germans and becomes a threat to the others and shall be executed."L'armée des ombres" is another long movie directed by Jean-Pierre Melville about members of the French Resistance in the World War II. The movie has great performances, locations, set decoration, costumes and cinematography. However, the original plot does not show any French Resistance operation against Germans the way we used to see in other movies. The movie gives the sensation that the members fight only for their self-preservation during the war. Gerbier flees easily from the Germans and in situations not believable. Mathilde's mistake is silly and also unbelievable for a woman with her profile. But the worst situation is when Mathilde and the two killers go to the Gestapo's headquarter without any explanation how they have gotten the documents and with two guys that do not speak German. My vote is seven.Title (Brazil): "O Exército das Sombras" ("The Army of the Shadows")

Most films about the opposition of occupied people against their oppressors tend to trivialize the cause of freedom as the depiction of heroes and heroic deeds of freedom fighters tend to get highlighted. This is not the case with French director Jean-Pierre Melville's masterpiece "L'Armée Des Ombres". It is one of those few war films which present a true picture of French resistance. Based on a book by Joseph Kessel of L'Académie Française, "L'Armée Des Ombres" does not make a hero out of any fighter. It honestly depicts the tough lives of resistance fighters who accord top priority to their mission. As they confront dangers too often, there is no scope for personal feeling in the hearts and minds of these daredevils. Melville has extracted excellent performance from all actors but it is nice to watch two of French cinema's greatest actors Lino Ventura and Simone Signoret as resistance fighters. Their performance are genuine to such an extent that one is forced to sit glued to the screen. At the time of its initial release "L'Armée Des Ombres" was ignored and somewhat neglected by certain idiots in France. It is great to learn that its lost glory has been restored as it has been chosen as one of the films to be shown in French schools by CANOPE, The network for creation and educational support in France.