Matialth Good concept, poorly executed.

Majorthebys Charming and brutal

Borgarkeri A bit overrated, but still an amazing film

Lidia Draper Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

reidy-05321 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.

nolar Story of how The Resistance survives under Nazi Regime in Vichy France through the lens of Philippe Gerbier (Resistance Leader), it is bleak, moody and taut.The Craftsmanship is top- notch. Cinematography and Sound Design create a desolate atmosphere, quiet and haunting. A lingering uncertainty envelops the story and ushers in the dreadful anticipation of the future of the Men/Women involved. The script is on another level. The flawlessly written scenes are prolonged to develop and sustain the tension that provides clarity as to what Extreme Measures the Resistance/Germans deem achievable. **spoiler** Gerbier's Escape(Twice), Paul Dounat(One Who betrays Gerbier)'s Execution,Jean-François delivery of transmitter to Mathilde, Lepercq capture and attempted Rescue, Mathilde's putting up a brave front in domineering German presence, the dialogue at the farmhouse after Mathilde's arrest and what follows keeps you at the edge of you seat.**spoiler** Motivations and Morality are brought to the fore and questioned. Even though the Consequences of Loyalties and Betrayals at the hands of either the Gestapo or the Resistance are brutal and detailed, the film remains grounded through a human lens which makes it all the more affecting.

FilmCriticLalitRao 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.

skeptic skeptical I have now watched this film twice, though I repressed the first viewing and only realized that I had watched it before at a couple of points during the second viewing. The film is well made. The pace of the action and the cinematography are excellent. Why would I have repressed such a film from my consciousness? Probably because it's downright depressing. The plot revolves nearly entirely around a group of French resistance fighters who are depicted doing nothing beyond protecting themselves and their comrades. In the process, they all become killers, and yet none of them is saved in the end by their willingness to dirty their hands. In this way, the film offers a classic portrait of corruption. Men who would never have dreamed of strangling to death a young man, or shooting a woman who actually saved their lives, end up committing such brutal acts of homicide in the name of "the cause"--though often, again, it seems more like self-preservation and perhaps even revenge killing. This is a realistic and, I imagine, controversial depiction of the French resistance, as it suggests that their efforts were largely irrelevant to the defeat of the Nazis. The partisans seem more concerned in this portrayal with protecting themselves than with anything else.I suppose that one might retort that the fact that the action of the film focuses on the resistance fighters' self-preservation efforts does not preclude the possibility that they did lots of good and saved other people's lives at the same time. But it's all left in the shadows, and they do seem rather consumed by their primary focus. Did the defeat of Hitler have anything whatsoever to do with what any of these people did? Or did they become murderers and end up killed as a result for no good reason?Were these killers (all of whom appear to have died before the end of the war) not created in the image of the agents of evil which they claimed to be laboring to defeat?