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Plot
Set in the tumultuous times of 1942 France, under the oppressive heel of German occupation, "Army of Shadows" chronicles the life of Philippe Gerbier, a stalwart French engineer turned Resistance commandant. His tale begins in the bleak confines of a concentration camp, where he's interned following a betrayal by a French collaborator. However, Gerbier's spirit refuses to be caged. He orchestrates a daring escape and plunges back into the shadowy world of the Resistance, operating from the gritty underbelly of Marseille.
In a chilling act of justice, Gerbier and his allies, including Felix Lepercq and the enigmatic hit-man Claude "The Mask" Ullmann, orchestrate the execution of the traitor who sold him out. The narrative then transports Gerbier to London, where he negotiates for critical Allied support to bolster the Resistance's operations.
While Gerbier navigates the murky waters of espionage and alliances, back home, the relentless Germans capture and torture Felix. Despite the valiant rescue attempts by comrades Mathilde, Guillaume "Bison" Vermersch, and the Mask, their mission falls tragically short. Amidst this escalating danger, Jean François Jardie, brother of Resistance commandant Luc Jardie, makes the ultimate sacrifice to ensure Felix's death before he can reveal their secrets.
"Army of Shadows" pulls back the curtain on the grim reality of life within the French Resistance, revealing the loneliness, unyielding fear, and camaraderie of its members. It exposes the precarious balance they maintain, living under the constant dread of Gestapo arrests, and the intricate command structure that keeps the Resistance alive. As the narrative unfolds, the organization's clandestine operations continue, even as the threat of a tortured member becoming a liability looms ominously over them.
Written by Joseph Kessel and directed by Jean-Pierre Melville, both veterans of the real-life "Shadow Army", their firsthand experiences imbue the plot with an unparalleled authenticity. "Army of Shadows" is a stark, austere, and gripping portrayal of the unsung heroes of the Resistance, whose stories were etched not in the light of day, but in the cover of shadows.
Where to watch Army of Shadows?
Army of Shadows is a drama movie featuring Lino Ventura.
It is possible to buy Army of Shadows on Amazon Video.