Movie, 1980

Fairly straightforward historical thriller, in which romantic intent, the German occupation of Paris in World War II and the survival of a theatre are put together. This is a film which looks great and plays at a nice pace. The lack of tricks and gimmicks gives the actors plenty of space, and they handle the screenplay and action very well. There are levels of fiction and artfice – a new play, the dramas (both personal and commercial) surrounding it – the occupation and the struggles that brings up. Nothing is laboured or overly sentimentalised, although the terrorist subplot is perhaps ever so slightly added in, a little awkwardly, as is the thefts by a black marketeer. Still, this all adds to the intrigue in a very watchable film.