Army of Shadows

"Army of Shadows," directed by Jean-Pierre Melville, is a 1969 Franco-Italian WWII suspense-drama based on Joseph Kessel's book about the French Resistance. The film follows Philippe Gerbier and his cell as they navigate arrests, executions, and escapes, highlighting themes of sacrifice and betrayal. All main characters die by 1944.

The cast includes Nathalie Delon in a cameo and editor Françoise Bonnot in a minor role. Initially criticized in France post-May '68, the film found acclaim elsewhere, like the UK in the late '70s. Its 2006 US re-release earned high praise with 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 99 on Metacritic.

Home media releases include Criterion Collection's DVD/Blu-ray and StudioCanal's Blu-ray with special features. Acclaimed by critics and directors, it is celebrated for its intense portrayal of Resistance struggles.