 [Larger view] | Reunion in France
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Average user rating:  | |
 A bit of a slow start, but a good movie! | |
| Having just obtained this movie after stumbling onto it, I enjoyed it very much. Yes, I am a "Duke" Wayne fan, and although Joan Crawford is not a particular favorite of mine, she "IS" this film. Her performace is magnificent, and she truly is the centerpiece holding all the rest together. The movie starts off rather slowly, as my title above says, but once it starts rolling, there are few dull moments. The Duke makes a late appearance in this movie, and as one reviewer already mentioned, he seems out of place in this film. He is truly overshadowed by Crawford's dominating roll excellence.
You will recognize a few faces in the film, though you may not recall their names, but this Amazon cite has an extensive cast listing to refresh your memories. One of interest was Natalie Schafer (Mrs "Lovey" Howell from Gilligan's Island) as Frau Amy Shroeder. You can't miss her. Ava Gardner also makes a cameo appearance. The plot is a "busy" one, and requires your undivided attention to keep up. There are a lot of characters and the intrigue is interwoven through most of them. Others here have summed it up effectively, so I will not waste your time. The film's makers made effective use of some real film footage to give the viewer a brief glimpse of life in Paris during the Nazi takeover of France. This helped set the stage for the remainder of the film. I have only one small criticism. The very final scene (I won't give it away) is pure corn. However, knowing this movie was made in 1942 excuses the obvious propaganda aspects of the movie. If you are looking for a shoot-'em-up war movie--this isn't the one. There is indeed some action, but not battle scenes like in "Battle of the Bulge", "Saving Private Ryan", or "Bridge Too Far", to name just a couple. It more resembles the intrigue of a "Casablanca", or other similar films. I thorougly enjoyed the film, and would certainly like to see it preserved on DVD. It is too good a movie to be lost or become unobtainable. It takes a bit of effort to get it on tape now, but it is available. I would not hesitate to recomend it, and though it is not one of Wayne's finest hours, it is still a memorable film. DVD please!! | |
| Charming and glamourous, fun and cozy | |
| Those nasty Nazis will never triumph because they have no fashion sense, no sense of humour and are utterly mystified by the workings of the female mind. Oh, I love this film and so does everyone to whom I've lent it.
Joan Crawford represents the spoiled darling that was France, now ready to join the Resistance and fight for freedom. (Don't worry, those oblivious Nazis actually FETCH HER ENTIRE COUTURE WARDROBE to the modest digs she occupies when they have taken over the lion's share of her house.) The two who take away the film, though, are Henry Daniell and John Carradine, both playing Nazi officers. The former, who has been wounded by the bite of an enemy dog, is in charge of Joan's house when it is commandeered. He is captivated by Joan, who lets him back her up against the wall and KISS HER ON THE LIPS so that John Wayne can make his getaway. John Carradine is the head of the Gestapo in Paris, and he is so sinister, sombre and sexless that you may find yourself fretting that Joan might have a little trouble with him. Don't. She will triumph at the end. My favourite scene is in a nightclub. There is an African-American jazz band playing and the singer is belting out "I'll be glad when you're dead, you rascals, you! I'll be glad when you're dead, and Adolf, too!" The smiling, finger-tapping Nazi couples just lap it up. They don't know English, I suppose. (What makes this even weirder is that the whole movie is in nothing BUT English. But don't worry about it.) A joy from start to finish. Please watch and enjoy. This is right up there with _Adventures of Tartu_ with Robert Donat! | |
 Glamour VS. the Nazis | |
| This movie is amazing in the sense that the studio would make a movie regarding the Nazi occupation of Paris and glamourize it. Crawford wore beautiful frocks throughout the movie, even while running from the Germans. It was basically a vehicle for Crawford to run around and look beautiful. The pairing of Wayne and Crawford seems odd even today, yet somehow the movie holds one's attention. It is interesting to see how Hollywood ran a proganda machine during WWII. If you are a diehard Joan Crawford fan, as I am, you will want to see this movie, but don't expect too much. This is not nearly in the league of Mildred Pierce or Sudden Fear. |
