In the nineties ,two movies were inspired by Madame Aubrac ,one of the most famous female resistant fighters during the French Occupation;this one "boulevard des hirondelles" and "Lucie Aubrac " (1997).
A prominent figure of the French resistance,Lucie Aubrac was very popular in France. Till her death ,she visited the junior high schools,explaining those dark years to the students ,answering their questions .She even wrote a small book "La Resistance Expliquée A Mes Enfants" the relevance of which was obvious:she pointed out the important role of women in the Resistance when she wrote :"it's sometimes more dangerous to visit prisoners or to carry documents on your rack than to blow up a train."
This one is watchable,mainly for Elisabeth Bourgine's portrayal of a grande dame ; her courage when she stands up to Klaus Barbie ,this criminal who was eventually arrested thanks to Klaus and Beate Karsfeld (see the MTV film "Nazi Hunter :the Beate Klarsfeld story "feat Farah Fawcett),is admirable ;directing is just OK ,the ambush which takes place on Swallows blvd (hence the title)is poorly directed ;and one feels little of the atmosphere of an occupied country ,which is the main defect.
Watch it for the principal ,who displays resilience ,determination,and a bravery lots of men had not .
