De Gaulle

This is not an action movie, but more about how and why Charles de Gaulle did what he did.

If you enjoyed "the darkest Hours" with Gary Oldman, you will enjoy it... but it is in French

A moving film that focuses both on the public figure and the intimacy of General de Gaulle from April to June 1940. This time period depicts the Frenche Armistice and its inner apparatus leading to the appeal of 18 June. Some key historical and political figures such as Georges Mandel, Paul Reynaud and Marechal Petain are nicely enacted and help to understand the state of play at the time. Dialogues are key here and we follow the first political steps of a young Colonel, promoted as a provisional General, defending its views on France's dignity both admist a hostile and compromised French Government and a wary and concerned British ally. The depiction of the General's family life, both as a husband and a father is elegant and passionate. Yvonne character's is beautifully performed by Isabelle Carré, sensitive and strong, as much combative as her husband. The film follows her on very nicely orchestrated thrilling road trip. But the central character of the movie is their youngest daugther, Anne, born with Down's syndrome. The litte girl is key, impelling both husband, wife and parents to face the realities of war, survival and liberty. The acting little girl is wonderful. Is is noteworthy to conclude that the movie is the first based on the character. A must see.

This movie opened up the side of De Gaulle I knew nothing of. He was a career military man, gaining the rank of colonel, but also this movie showed the family side and that is what I was impressed with. He and his wife showed such devotion to their young daughter who had Down's syndrome, his normal stiff upper lip was gone when interacting with Anne his daughter and the sheer devotion to her was quite moving.

It is always easy to go with the crowd and his career and life may well have not changed had he accepted defeat and capitulation to nazi Germany, however he refused and took the road of resistance.

He had his nationality removed, property confiscated and his family were at risk of imprisonment or worse, but still he defied the odds and gave the famous radio speech rallying the free French resistance.

This movie tells a clear story of the dilemmas he had to face and decisions which took courage, politicians nowadays could learn from his story, we would be a better world if more were like him.

Good acting, clear storytelling and interesting facts make this a recommended movie to watch if nothing else but to get a history lesson.

I hope The French people are inspired by a true patriot and saviour of France.

It is the 80th anniversary of Charles de Gaulle's famous "Appeal of 18th June" speech on the BBC and, even though this film originally came out in March, it was interrupted by the COVID-19 crisis and has just returned to the cinema literally in time for the anniversary. I was expecting a sort of Hollywood-style hagiography but I was very pleasantly surprised. Lambert Wilson, one of France's finest actors, plays De Gaullle in a very nuanced manner, and you never really can decide whether he is motivated solely by a desire to save France from defeat and dishonor or whether, as his enemies in the film claim, he is guided by ambition and a desire to make a name for himself -- but in either case, he was, like Churchill, the right man in the right place at the right time, symbolizing the determination of at least some French to resist the invader at all costs. Isabelle Carré also does a stunning turn as Yvonne de Gaulle, who for the French public occupied a place similar to that of Mamie Eisenhower. In fact, there isn't a single actor who doesn't do a sterling job in this film, and that goes double for the girl who plays their Down's syndrome stricken daughter, Anne, who steals every scene she is in. The real Charles de Gaulle was no saint - he gave little credit to the efforts of the Americans, British and Canadians in liberating France and considered them as little more than another sort of occupying power, and his undiplomatic, even crude speech in Quebec supporting the separatist movement was an amazing slap in the face of his Canadian hosts. But there is no denying that he was first and foremost a patriot in the true sense of the term, and this film shows him, warts and all, in just such a manner.

This biography is well put together, casting is very good.

Keep in mind that this biography of de Gaulle covers only the period 1940-42.

Nothing on his childhood or early years, the movie almost focuses only on a specific period.

Movie gives an insight into his family and particularly on his disabled daughter.... perhaps a little too much attention on this daughter.

Actor playing Churchill did a great job !

It's not a war movie, though. No battles or warfare .

It's more about showing what led de Gaulle to flee to London and starts the resistance movement , motivating them.

I would have liked the movie to cover a longer period of time of de Gaulle life.