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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
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
174 of 175 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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.
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
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.
59 of 64 people found the following review helpful
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
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 1 month ago by J. M. Jeffreys
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 1 month ago by barkis
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 2 months ago by PILGRIM
C'est un reve, non c'est la reality.
Black and White Doc, 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... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Dr. Delvis Memphistopheles
Chagrin et pitie
Purchased to support A2 students' cultural topic of Occupation. Good but sometimes apparent random changes of theme - need subtitles on for A2 class. Historically fascinating.
Published 17 months ago by EllenMay
In French and English?
The soundtrack is predominantly in French, with (optional) English subtitles. When English or German is spoken, there is a French soundtrack which overlays it, plus English... Read more
Published 19 months ago by C. X. Linton-Willoughby
The sorrow and the pity true account of the fall of France
The true story of the fall of France through the eyes of frenchmen.A must watch for anybody interested in WW2 and shows what could have happened to the United Kingdom if we had... Read more
Published 22 months ago by David Stowell
Sorrow Plus Pity make Masterpiece
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... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Mr. C. W. Livett
Vichy France
This is a powerful and incisive account through interviews carried out soon after the war, of people from all walks of life and political persuasion in Vichy France during the... Read more
Published on 25 Mar 2010 by Canonistic
The Sorrow and the Pity
I am fascinated by WW II and especially anything connected with France. After reading other reviews, this DVD seemed to be right up my street and it didn't disappoint. Read more
Published on 10 Jan 2010 by C. Forsyth
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