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Hailed as one of the most moving and influential films of our time, this Oscar nominated documentary by director Marcel Ophuls has continued to garner international acclaim since its release in 1969.
An epic account of the occupation of small French industrial city Clermont-Ferrand by the Germans in World War 2, Ophuls combines interviews along with archive footage to explore the reality of occupation. Speaking to Resistance fighters, collaborators, spies, farmers, government officials, writers, artists and veterans, it is perhaps the most gripping and inspiring portrait of how ordinary people actually conducted themselves under extraordinary circumstances.
Review
Irresistible --The Observer
One of documentary cinema's genuine masterpieces --Empire
an impressively assembled documentary which combines archival footage and detailed personal testimonies to profound effect --Film4.com
One of documentary cinema's genuine masterpieces --Empire
an impressively assembled documentary which combines archival footage and detailed personal testimonies to profound effect --Film4.com
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
187 of 188 people found the following review helpful
By M. Mabberley
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
A film that inspired so many other directors and often referred to as one of the great films of all time, Le chagrin et la pitié, to use the film's French title, was made for French television in 1968 by Marcel Ophüls but the broadcasters refused to show it, so disturbing were the contents thought to be. Ultimately it received a limited release, mainly being shown in "art house" cinemas where it's reputation spread. The film was eventually broadcast on French television in 1981.
This masterpiece, running at over 4 hours and divided into two parts dealing with the occupation of France and the choices made by the French people during the occupation, is a time capsule. Consisting mainly of interviews, interspersed with archive footage, the film was made when the participants - French, German and British - were still alive and the memory of the events still fresh in their minds. Their stories - the collaboration and the resistance, the attitudes and perspectives of real people - render this period of French history together into a profound and thought provoking film that will give all who see it pause for thought. Historical amnesia benefits no one.
The subtitled film is divided into two clear halves conveniently split over 2 DVDs. This edition includes an interview conducted in 2004 with the director.
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By harpman
Format:DVD
Stunning, illuminating and completely compelling documentary of WW2 France. Repeated viewings do not detract from the impact made by the retrospective accounts gleaned from often very ordinary people who found themselves in totally extraordinary situations. From the modest, matter of fact but 'hard as nails' farm labourers who fought with the Resistance to the landed gentry and castle owner who elected to serve not with the Resistance but astonishingly as a founder member of the SS French Division. This seminal film brilliantly captures a polarised French society in the late 1960's struggling to come to terms with it's recent history, its courage and strengths but also with the deceipts, acquiescence, and frailties of many of its citizens. I do not find that the subtitles detract from this moving experience. Simply, my favourite film of all time and I will continue to watch it again and again.
63 of 68 people found the following review helpful
By tc61
Format:DVD
If you are a native English speaker with only a rudimentary knowledge of French as I have, you will struggle with this film. This version was made for English speakers as the subtitles are only when the French or Germans are speaking. But, for some reason, the subtitles drop off or malfunction about 25% of the time. This leaves a very frustrated viewer as entire subjects can be left hanging.
The subject matter is excellent though some of the interviews are a bit drawn out. Very artistic filming of those being interviewed which helps make the four hours interesting.
The subject matter is excellent though some of the interviews are a bit drawn out. Very artistic filming of those being interviewed which helps make the four hours interesting.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Ophuls examination of the fall of France in 1940 and life under the Nazis for the next five years will leave a lasting impression on your mind 'He marries archive film with later interviews over the whole range of participants from collaborators to resistance fighters. This marrying together of archive and interview is brilliantly done and far superior to the ghastly historical reconstructions that TV often goes in for. Although the film deals with France its impact is universal in that it shows the height and depths to which mankind can reach.At the same time it is always entertaining, its emotional impact is greater than most dramas.Not to be missed it truly is one of the all time documentary greats
nd interview
nd interview
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Black and White Documentary shot in the 1960's and initially not too appealing; but then as it unravels and meticulously details the events between 1940-1945 it becomes spellbinding: No wonder it created such a huge impact when first screened in France.
Ordinary French people, unlike the Poles, seemingly caved in to the Germanic overlords. The middle classes in particular, welcomed them as liberators from Leon Blum and the Popular Front, the pre war socialists. Whilst in 1939 the ladies of Paris clubbed together to buy rose bushes for the soldiers who manned the Maginot Line because it was feared they would be bored, staring at concrete, they were ready to soiree with the new Meister's in 1940 when they stomped around Paris.
Within a matter of weeks, France, a country that had bled itself dry in 1914-18 to keep the Teutons at bay, became severed into three parts; over manned by Germany, underwhelmed by Vichy and thin sliced by Fascist Italy.
France, the originators of European Nationalism became a vassal state to the 3rd Reich. Nominally kept out of the fighting, although it supplied the SS Charlemagne Division to the Eastern Front, it sent many workers to Germany to keep the German factories ticking over with a constant stream of munitions. Thereby, France freed up the Reich to send its young men to their early deaths on the Russian Steppes.
Composed of a series of interviews, some are former French Nationalist combatants, other Communists and Royalists as well as Gaullists, the documentary weaves a sense of historical magic as it strips away the amnesiac blanket France has covered herself in since 1940. She was not just conquered but she soired and sections of the population secretly welcomed the newcomers to liberate them from their peasants.... Read more ›
Ordinary French people, unlike the Poles, seemingly caved in to the Germanic overlords. The middle classes in particular, welcomed them as liberators from Leon Blum and the Popular Front, the pre war socialists. Whilst in 1939 the ladies of Paris clubbed together to buy rose bushes for the soldiers who manned the Maginot Line because it was feared they would be bored, staring at concrete, they were ready to soiree with the new Meister's in 1940 when they stomped around Paris.
Within a matter of weeks, France, a country that had bled itself dry in 1914-18 to keep the Teutons at bay, became severed into three parts; over manned by Germany, underwhelmed by Vichy and thin sliced by Fascist Italy.
France, the originators of European Nationalism became a vassal state to the 3rd Reich. Nominally kept out of the fighting, although it supplied the SS Charlemagne Division to the Eastern Front, it sent many workers to Germany to keep the German factories ticking over with a constant stream of munitions. Thereby, France freed up the Reich to send its young men to their early deaths on the Russian Steppes.
Composed of a series of interviews, some are former French Nationalist combatants, other Communists and Royalists as well as Gaullists, the documentary weaves a sense of historical magic as it strips away the amnesiac blanket France has covered herself in since 1940. She was not just conquered but she soired and sections of the population secretly welcomed the newcomers to liberate them from their peasants.... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
delivered on time but my palyer wouldn't download the first disc. My...
The French owning up. So much is covered up by the French and this was banned for many years in France.
Published 2 months ago by Derek Oliver Sibthorpe
1.0 out of 5 stars
The Sorrow and the Pity (DVD)
Rather than hate it, I am simply extremely disappointed that the product was grossly non-merchantable quality. Read more
Published 3 months ago by B. F. Orme
5.0 out of 5 stars
The sorrow and the pity
This totally compelling and absorbing account of the resistance (and otherwise) of the French people under Nazi occupation revealed a number of things that the majority of people... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mr. D. Rowland
5.0 out of 5 stars
ESSENTIAL AMBIGUITIES
Should be compulsory viewing -
a. for far right sympathisers and apologists, to shame them;
b. Read more
a. for far right sympathisers and apologists, to shame them;
b. Read more
Published 4 months ago by D. P. Hunter
5.0 out of 5 stars
Everyone should view it
This is a DVD every person should view. Ask yourself when you view it "what would I have done?"
The DVD is about France under occupation in the Second World War, It... Read more
The DVD is about France under occupation in the Second World War, It... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Nicholas J Bates
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it
Very interesting, moving look at something that has been completely forgotten.
The French capitulated completely for lots of good reasons. Read more
The French capitulated completely for lots of good reasons. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Eamon A. Cunningham
4.0 out of 5 stars
France under occupation
Although the film is somewhat repetitive it nevertheless gives an excellent insight into the way in which the French people dealt with the demoralising affect of the German... Read more
Published 8 months ago by kean
4.0 out of 5 stars
Please give us the proper aspect ratio
Once more I find myself writing about the aspect ratio of a film. Please can we have the correct aspect ratio for this excellent documentary. It seems closer to 1.66:1 or 14:9. Read more
Published 14 months ago by J. M. Jeffreys
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Sorrow and the Pity
This documentary of the captivity of the people of Clermont Ferrand during WW2 was detailed and gave a good all round history
but the big drawback was that the dialogue was... Read more
but the big drawback was that the dialogue was... Read more
Published 14 months ago by barkis
5.0 out of 5 stars
best documentry i have seen
a land mark documentry film grity true a devide still healing shame and honour a mix people at there best people at there worst
Published 14 months ago by PILGRIM
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