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Weapons of the Spirit

  • 19871987
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
88
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • IMDbPro
Weapons of the Spirit (1987)
The astonishing story of a unique conspiracy of goodness.  During World War II, in and around the village of Le Chambon in Nazi-occupied France, 5,000 Jews were sheltered by 5,000 Christians.

This is a story filmmaker Pierre Sauvage was born to tell: born and protected in Le Chambon, he returned just in time to preserve the memory.

Defying the Nazis and the French government that was collaborating with the Nazis, the mostly Protestant villagers of the area of Le Chambon provided a safe haven throughout the war for whoever knocked on their door.

“The responsibility of Christians,” their pastor, André Trocmé, had reminded them the day after France surrendered to Nazi Germany, “is to resist the violence that will be brought to bear on their consciences through the weapons of the spirit.”

There were many other uncelebrated individual and collective acts of goodwill and righteousness throughout the dark war years.  But nowhere else did a persistent and successful moral consensus develop on a scale approaching what happened in the area of Le Chambon.

Released theatrically in 1989 in over 50 major markets, selected for over 20 film festivals, the highly acclaimed feature documentary was the recipient of many awards, including the prestigious DuPont-Columbia University Award in Broadcast Journalism.

President Barack Obama: "Not a single Jew who came there was turned away, or turned in.  But it was not until decades later that the villagers spoke of what they had done—and even then, only reluctantly.  'How could you call us 'good'? they said.  'We were doing what had to be done.'"

Elie Wiesel: "If you wish to learn what more men and women could have done to save Jews, watch Pierre Sauvage's poignant documentary. It is superb!"      

David Ansen, Newsweek: "An inquiry into the nature of goodness and a personal odyssey. Moving and provocative. Enormously uplifting. What an extraordinary story."

For more information: http://www.chambon.org
Play clip3:36
Weapons of the Spirit
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  • Documentary

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 ... Read allPierre 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 g... Read allPierre 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 vill... Read all

IMDb RATING
8.2/10
88
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Pierre Sauvage
  • Writer
    • Pierre Sauvage
  • Stars
    • Pierre Sauvage
    • Henri Héritier
    • Emma Héritier
Top credits
  • Director
    • Pierre Sauvage
  • Writer
    • Pierre Sauvage
  • Stars
    • Pierre Sauvage
    • Henri Héritier
    • Emma Héritier
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 4User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Weapons of the Spirit
    Clip 3:36
    Weapons of the Spirit

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    Weapons of the Spirit (1987)
    Weapons of the Spirit (1987)
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    Top cast

    Edit
    Pierre Sauvage
    • Presenteras Presenter
    Henri Héritier
    • Selfas Self
    Emma Héritier
    • Selfas Self
    Charles Gibert
    • Selfas Self
    Joseph Atlas
    • Selfas Self
    Hilde Hillebrand
    • Selfas Self
    Édouard Theis
    • Selfas Self
    Magda Trocmé
    • Selfas Self
    Nelly Trocmé Hewett
    • Selfas Self
    Adolphe Caritey
    • Selfas Self
    Roger Darcissac
    • Selfas Self
    Georges Lamirand
    • Self - Vichy Youth Ministeras Self - Vichy Youth Minister
    Émile Sèches
    • Selfas Self
    René Bousquet
    • Self - Handshake with Heydrichas Self - Handshake with Heydrich
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Fernand de Brinon
    • Self - Handshake with Heydrichas Self - Handshake with Heydrich
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Darquier de Pellepoix
    • Self - Handshake with Heydrichas Self - Handshake with Heydrich
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Reinhard Heydrich
    Reinhard Heydrich
    • Self - Meets Vichy Officialsas Self - Meets Vichy Officials
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Georges Hilaire
    • Self - with Heydrichas Self - with Heydrich
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Pierre Sauvage
    • Writer
      • Pierre Sauvage
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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.
    • oradour
    • based on novel
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The Astonishing Story of a Unique Conspiracy of Goodness.
    • Genre
      • Documentary
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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 reviews4

    Review
    Top review
    How is it that more people haven't seen such an amazing film?
    I just saw this film and I think it's absolutely amazing. It's unlike anything I've ever seen. How is it that the film has gone virtually unnoticed in many circles? This film had more of an affect on me than Night And Fog w/all it's awful images had. What a testament to the human spirit! More people need to see this. Absolutely wonderful.
    helpful•6
    0
    • Hyphen
    • Apr 30, 1999

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 1, 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • France
    • Official site
      • Chambon Foundation
    • Language
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Les armes de l'esprit
    • Filming locations
      • Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, Haute-Loire, France
    • Production companies
      • Chambon Foundation
      • Pierre Sauvage Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $232,981
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $18,580
      • Sep 4, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $232,981
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 33 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 16:9 HD

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