| Jean-Pierre Melville's "Army of Shadows" is a masterpiece. I could end my review there, but that won't tempt the casual viewer on watching a movie about the French resistance. I have seen a lot of films about resistance fighters, but each of those films will never ever come close to this amazing work. Mr. Melville is a genius, he has updated the gangster genre with "Le Samouraï" and "The Red Circle" in hyped-up, pop culture adaptations which still excite viewers today. "Army of Shadows" works as a gangster picture. In gangster films the characters often don’t speak like normal citizens. They live by their own rules and laws--to them it’s freedom, but for the audience it seems as if they're trapped in their own world. There are many films that capture people in their unique lifestyle--such films as “The Godfather” or “Goodfellas”--but nobody has taken it to the extreme such as this French 1969 lost gem.
Americans were not privileged to see this classic picture until 2005. Upon its initial release, the movie was banned because of an uproar in Vietnam. Though the movie is set in World War II, the story could work for any generation. The film is based upon Joseph Kessel's classic novel about French resistance fighters' lives and how they kept their cool amongst their enemies. The novel was also about traitors and the paranoia of being caught. Director Jean-Pierre Melville gave a lot of input to this film for he was a resistance fighter too. He knew the risks that every fighter took.
The score is amazing and catchy, it makes the film so vibrant. Johnnie To had updated the score for his bodyguard masterpiece “The Mission”. "Army of Shadows" and "The Mission" share a lot of resemblance. Johnnie To claims to be Melville's biggest fan--he tributes his work in many of his movies. If it's not the catchy theme he takes, then he references Melville’s coolness of characters. The list of talent that admire Mr. Melville's phenomenal work goes on and on. It amazes me how a French director made such an influential impact on movies and people today.
“Army of Shadows” is a gritty film about real people and their war. The movie may not have epic gun battles or fights, but the film relies on its characters and their ongoing battle with the enemy. The story plays as a suspenseful cat and mouse game with danger at every corner.
The film is an ignition of daring moments and it’s courageous that resistance fighters would go the extreme for their country. Jean-Pierre Melville has directed a movie that demands to be seen by everyone. The picture is worth every penny, and especially in today’s society the film will question your portrayal for your country. What is a patriot? And would you risk your life for others? |
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