L'Armee De Ombres (aka Army Of Shadows) (1969)

Set in 1942 France during WWII, a small group of resistance fighters move between safe houses, work with the Allied militaries, kill informers and attempt to evade the capture and execution that they know is their most likely fate. Based on the novel by Joseph Kessel (BELLE DU JOUR) and directed by Jean Pierre Melville (LE SAMOURAI). Inexplicably, this 1969 French film was not released in the United States until 2006 when it was critically acclaimed by U.S. critics. It's a complex look at the inner workings of the French resistance during WWII and the intense conflict between loyalty, friendship and the distressing decisions that had to be made and feelings set aside. Jean Pierre Melville creates a perception of location and atmosphere that gives an authenticity to the proceedings. Featuring excellent ensemble work by Lino Ventura, Simone Signoret, Jean Pierre Cassel, Serge Reggiani, Paul Meurisse and Claude Mann.