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Rating: 
Summary: A nation without shame
Review: Admittedly this film is propaganda produced during an occupation by fascist Germany, but it is very educational in explaining why more Americans were probably killed by the French during WWII than were saved by them. Including the Northern Africa campaign of serious battles where Allied forces were attacked by French military loyal to Petain's Vichy government, as well as the millions of Frenchmen who assisted the Nazi war machine in their munitions factories, there is no question that the French were more the enemy of the Allies than they would ever be willing to admit today. For anyone who thinks that French diplomatic treachery is a new phenomenon in the war against Islamofascism, they should see this film. No wonder Chabrol was widely condemned in France for shining the light on this ugly chapter in French history. It is something any nation should be ashamed of. But unfortunately they have learned nothing from their ignominy as well documented by their own propagandists.
Rating:
Summary: Insight into fascist politics.
Review: Anyone interested in the history and development of fascist and national socialism should watch this film. It presents various aspects of the fascist ideology on class, culture, "nation," and of course shows the prevasive anti-Semitism, anti-Bolshevism and racism of fascism.
The Vichy fascists used anti-communism and anti-Semitism to play upon the fears of its middle class supporters in order to consolidate its position. It viewed its nation-selling to the Germans as a "holy war" against Jews, America and communism.
Also presented in this film is the politics of the radical right-wing fascist politician Jacques Doriot, the role of the French LVF "volunteers" in the axis front lines against the Red Army, and the campaigns encouraging youth to "volunteer" to work in the Nazis munitions factories. The patriotic partisans are portrayed as traitorous "terrorists" against the conservative Vichy government.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing, tendentious hash of newsreel clips
Review: I can't imagine what Claude Chabrol's involvement with this project amounted to. Did he stand around and chat while others edited at the movieola? Did he look at an assortment of newsreels and pick out a few to give the compilation a narrative structure? Whatever, it wasn't much of a contribution. I suspect his name is on the package to give it credibility.This is a predictably anti-Petainist, anti-collabo montage of newsreel clips from the early 1940s. The original footage was produced by the German occupiers and French collaborationists, so it would seem that both sides get to have their say. Actually we are given only one point of view--the Gaullist one.
Rating: 
Summary: German and its French ally's propaganda against the Allies
Review: I saw this film for extra credit for a college French class. It was wonderful to see so much old news footage and speeches from the 1940s in Europe. It was interesting to see how successfully the Nazis and their French collaborators (some of the French) manipulated their own peoples into thinking a unified Europe under Germany was the only answer. That is all this film is: a collection of newsreels and speeches given by both French and Germans with an English subtitle. Yet it is a wonderfully put together 'documentary'.
Rating:
Summary: I was there
Review: I was only 7 years old when the Germans occupied my city in 1940, but I remember many of the events depicted in this documentary. This film is great, especially for those interested in the history of France during the war years, and a reminder of what it was like for those who were there.
Rating:
Summary: Great film for French class
Review: This is a great video to show in advanced or AP French classes. It helps students better understand what life was like under Nazi occupation in France, and it affords a glimpse into everyday French life as it was in the 1940's.
The only problem I encountered with this video was that the audio track was malfunctionning - there was such an echo at times that it was impossible to understand what was being said - I had to return my copy of the video because of that. But I was so impressed with the film that I'll reorder another copy, and hope that it was just a problem with that particular videocassette that I had. I would recommend this film to anyone interested in French life, in WWII historical data or in Nazi occupation of France.
Rating:
Summary: Great film for French class
Review: This is a great video to show in advanced or AP French classes. It helps students better understand what life was like under Nazi occupation in France, and it affords a glimpse into everyday French life as it was in the 1940's.
The only problem I encountered with this video was that the audio track was malfunctionning - there was such an echo at times that it was impossible to understand what was being said - I had to return my copy of the video because of that. But I was so impressed with the film that I'll reorder another copy, and hope that it was just a problem with that particular videocassette that I had. I would recommend this film to anyone interested in French life, in WWII historical data or in Nazi occupation of France.
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