De Gaulle

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 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.

An interesting bit of history at a dreadful time for France. Over run by the German army with only Britain to turn to De Gaulle refused to meekly surrender.

I guess viewers respond differently to this movie depending on their perspective as some rate it highly and others poorly.

The actor who played De Gaulle, I thought did a good job, but I agree with others that Churchill's character was very bland.

The story was very inspiring as De Gaulle refused to give in to the Nazis, contrary to many other French military and political leaders. I was moved by the strength of his character!

I was expecting a lot from De Gaulle, as the underlying story offered a great potential, and my expectations went mostly unmet. The movie does not make the fundamental choice whether to be about the private or the public De Gaulle; as a consequence, we don't gain many insights of the life and psychology of the man nor do we learn much more at historical level. Failing this basic choice, the movie remains at a rather superficial level on both sides and left me with a sense of an unfinished work. It does not help the case that the poor acting performance of the key actors (Churchill is a grotesque caricature of himself). On the positive side, the historical accuracy is good and very good is the photography.