Laissez-passer (2002)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Bertrand Tavernier

Writers:

Jean Cosmos (writer)
Jean-Devaivre (book)

Release Date:

9 January 2002 (France)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | History | War

Tagline:

Collaborate. Resist. Survive.

Plot:

In occupied France, German-run Continental Films calls the shots in the movie business. Assistant director...

Plot Keywords:

German | Screenwriter | Assistant Director | Director | Resistance

Awards:

7 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Jacques Gamblin	...	Jean-Devaivre
Denis Podalydès	...	Jean Aurenche
Charlotte Kady	...	Suzanne Raymond
Marie Desgranges	...	Simone Devaivre
Ged Marlon	...	Jean-Paul Le Chanois
Philippe Morier-Genoud	...	Maurice Tourneur
Laurent Schilling	...	Charles Spaak
Maria Pitarresi	...	Reine Sorignal
Christian Berkel	...	Dr. Greven
Richard Sammel	...	Richard Pottier
Marie Gillain	...	Olga
Olivier Gourmet	...	Roger Richebé
Philippe Saïd	...	Pierre Nord
Liliane Rovère	...	Mémaine
Götz Burger	...	Bauermeister

Also Known As:

Safe Conduct (International: English title) (USA)
Salvoconducto (Spain)

Runtime:

170 min | Argentina:172 min (Mar del Plata Film Festival)

Country:

Spain | France | Germany

Language:

French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M (DVD rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Brazil:12 | France:U | Netherlands:12 | Spain:T | Singapore:M18

Company:

France 2 Cinéma

Movie Connections:

Features La main du diable (1943)

Triumph of the Human Spirit: Artists in a Time of War

'Laissez-passer' (Safe Conduct) is an epic film not of the giant battlefield scenes type, but of the inner humanity placed in jeopardy during war times. Director Bernard Tavernier has been making important films since the 1960s and here directs a story by Jean Cosmos and Jean-Devaivre that explores the survival of writers and actors and filmmakers during the German occupation of Paris in World War II. The result is an intensely rich examination of that period of time when the French Resistance successfully and bravely struggled against the Nazi invaders: yet another result is a film that is so long that it calls for an entire evening's concentration on a story that begs to be edited.

Based on a true story of screenwriter Jean Aurenche (Denis Podalydès), firm in his conviction that he would never write in support of the Nazi regime, and director Jean Devaivre (Jacques Gamblin) who opted for complying on the surface with a film production company headed by the German occupiers while retaining his firm stance as part of the French Resistance, the story involves a large cast who portray actors, production people, friends, victims, Germans, etc and the plot is at times so convoluted that you may need to pause and backup to make sure you have not lost any important information.

The actors are outstanding and the complete production crew of this film has created a tense, atmospheric, intelligent tale that makes the audience respect even more the incredible bravery of the French Resistance movement. This is brilliant film-making - it just goes on a bit too long at 2 hours and 45 minutes! Grady Harp, September 05