Standing (largely) alone outside France during the German invasion, and negotiating with Churchill and what became the Vichy government De Gaulle became the symbolic leader of Free France.
No doubt the French know his story well, at least the older generation, but I left with a sense that much more could have been delivered.
The big question for me was, "What contribtion did he make after the first two weeks of the German invasion?" We don't find out until the closing credits, and then only with some information on the screen. After 1 hr 49mins that's not great.
I know the answer because I'm a student of military history, but most of that comes from an Anglo/American perspective.
Having spent a lof time demonstrating his devotion to his family, particularly his daughter Anne who has Down Syndrome and negotiations with Churchill, this is ultimately a 'meh' film. It doesn't seem overly long, but it does take a long time to do not much.
Where is the leader? What was his passion? How did he influence events? What did he do next? Thankfully, there are other places we can find the answers to these questions.
No doubt the French know his story well, at least the older generation, but I left with a sense that much more could have been delivered.
The big question for me was, "What contribtion did he make after the first two weeks of the German invasion?" We don't find out until the closing credits, and then only with some information on the screen. After 1 hr 49mins that's not great.
I know the answer because I'm a student of military history, but most of that comes from an Anglo/American perspective.
Having spent a lof time demonstrating his devotion to his family, particularly his daughter Anne who has Down Syndrome and negotiations with Churchill, this is ultimately a 'meh' film. It doesn't seem overly long, but it does take a long time to do not much.
Where is the leader? What was his passion? How did he influence events? What did he do next? Thankfully, there are other places we can find the answers to these questions.