Weapons of the Spirit (1987)

Pierre Sauvage was born in a small village in France in 1944, among what would become as many as 5000 Jews who were helped by the collective efforts of the town, hidden from occupying Nazis... See full summary »

Director:

Pierre Sauvage

Writer:

Pierre Sauvage

Stars:

Pierre Sauvage, Henri Héritier, Emma Héritier

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Pierre Sauvage	...	Presenter
Henri Héritier	...	Himself
Emma Héritier	...	Herself
Charles Gibert	...	Himself
Joseph Atlas	...	Himself
Hilde Hillebrand	...	Herself
Édouard Theis	...	Himself
Magda Trocmé	...	Herself
Nelly Trocmé Hewett	...	Herself
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Adolphe Caritey	...	Himself
Roger Darcissac	...	Himself
Georges Lamirand	...	Himself - Vichy Youth Minister
Émile Sèches	...	Himself

Storyline

Pierre Sauvage was born in a small village in France in 1944, among what would become as many as 5000 Jews who were helped by the collective efforts of the town, hidden from occupying Nazis by the kindly residents. This is a documentary by Sauvage that explores the supernatural good will by the people in the village. Archival footage and interviews with surviving villagers illustrate their attitude toward their God, their obedience and the actions that saved the lives of thousands of people.

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Plot Keywords:

oradour | based on novel | 

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Taglines:

The Astonishing Story of a Unique Conspiracy of Goodness.

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

1 September 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Les armes de l'esprit

Filming Locations:

Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, Haute-Loire, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pierre Sauvage Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color

Did You Know?

Alternate Versions

The University of Minnesota Film and Video catalog lists a long version at 117 minutes and a short version at 35 minutes.

User Reviews

Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed

I saw this documentary while in a summer institute on Philanthropy and Volunteer Survice. While the film is a good work on its own, further study into Le Chambon, particularly by reading the writing account of WWII Chamboneisse. Philip Hallie's, 1970's book, Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed is a great counterpoint in the study of The Plague that swept accross Europe in WWII, but somehow stayed out of Le Chambon. Other points of note, Camus wrote The Plague while staying in Le Chambon during this time and the book and this documentary provide a great moral debate and delemma. I recommend the version of this movie with a director interview.