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Charles de Gaulle

(11 Posts)
mokryna Fri 04-Sept-26 08:36:04

Have you or are you planning to watch the two-part biographical film of Charles De Gaulle?

Knowing what the average person does in the UK I went out of curiosity to see the French perspective. At school, as it was so soon after the war, 60s, it was not talked about, I only saw documentaries on the television.

With me was my DD, who had been through the French schooling system in the 80s. We saw both films and were quiet shocked at some parts of history we hadn’t known, regarding how America planned to put a Vichy general in charge of French troops and were planning to take France over as a colony after the war.

Aveline Fri 04-Sept-26 09:26:28

Where is this film available to view?

Galaxy Fri 04-Sept-26 09:34:37

It is out in cinemas at the moment Aveline.

M0nica Fri 04-Sept-26 10:01:09

DS has seen it, but I am not sure that it is on general release, rather more, selective release where they think there is a sufficient audience.

Fallingstar Fri 04-Sept-26 10:08:49

Would like to see this film, our grasp of history regarding Charles De Gaulle and the very important role he and the French resistance played alongside British and American troops in the Second World War, is often skewed by the belief that the US and Britain more or less single handedly won the war.
Of course both France and Russia have a very different take on this.

Mamie Fri 04-Sept-26 12:36:48

De Gaulle was important, but he was a very difficult character and needed careful handling by Eisenhower and Churchill.
The film I would always recommend is The Sorrow and the Pity (Le Chagrin et la Pitié ), a 1969 documentary film by Marcel Ophuls about collaboration by the Vichy government.
The part of Normandie where we lived was liberated by the Canadians and the Polish forces.

vegansrock Fri 04-Sept-26 13:06:30

Hopefully it will come on a streaming service.

mokryna Fri 04-Sept-26 13:32:28

Mamie

De Gaulle was important, but he was a very difficult character and needed careful handling by Eisenhower and Churchill.
The film I would always recommend is The Sorrow and the Pity (Le Chagrin et la Pitié ), a 1969 documentary film by Marcel Ophuls about collaboration by the Vichy government.
The part of Normandie where we lived was liberated by the Canadians and the Polish forces.

I am speaking about Roosevelt's attitude during the war towards selecting a Vichy general and his preparations of AMGOT rule in France, as depicted in the film.

It was history I never knew about.

However, Mamie I will look out for the film you suggested.

Mamie Fri 04-Sept-26 14:08:00

It was Admiral Darlan, more than Giraud who caused the furore at his appointment. I think it was still basically a pragmatic decision, as they did not trust de Gaulle.
De Gaulle and the Resistance did move very quickly to restore French sovereignty after the liberation.

CarrotTop Fri 04-Sept-26 14:21:02

I will probably buy it if it comes out on DVD but I never go to the cinema now -- too loud, too expensive, too many foul fast-food smells, too many people having loud conversations. DH and I enjoy watching a good film at home, snacks & drinks to hand, feet up and the pause button ready for any comfort breaks we might need. So we have to wait a while before we can see a new film, but the sacrifice is worth it.

M0nica Fri 04-Sept-26 19:00:25

CarrotTop when did you last go to the cinema? We have a Cine Centre in town, six studios, mostly quite small with armchair like seats. No loud conversations. Sound not excessive and price comparisons vary from person to person. Certainly no foul smells, but I never eat or drink during film or theatrical performances, except occasionally in the interval.

Mind you we mainly go to National Theatre and Royal Opera House, but we did go and see Odyssey and we plan to see Pressure.