Rating: 
Summary: More relevant now than ever before.
Review: In the years since I became aware of this movie in Annie Hall, I fruitlessly searched theatres and rental shops for a copy. I finally purchased one and I can state unequivocably that it was one of the best purchases I ever made. In light of France's current(2003) behavior in the UN concerning Iraq, I found the film very enlightening--in spite of the shotcomings that have come to light in the years since its release. The movie provides valuable insights into the French character that many suspect but this is the first time that I have heard them from the mouths of the French themselves. Santayana said that those who do not know history are destined to French--ashamed of their past and in serious denial--have excised much of their history and revised the balance to fit their world view. Those who doubt that this is true should read the novels of Regine Deforges. Certainly there was a resistance--but the Vichy and the efforts and results of the French collaborators cannot be minimalized--nor the cruel streak that underlies both sides then, and I am certain, is there today. (Witness the French behavior during their nuclear bomb tests and how they handled Green peace protests.) This is a movie that should be required viewing--for everyone, not just the French or the Americans. It clearly illustrates the dangers of compromise and cannot recommend this movie enough. Allen did a wonderful job restoring the film--the subtitles on the dvd are clear and easily readable. The French-English translation is excellent--very comprehensive. I originally intended to purchase, view and resell. This is a part of my permanent library and I am 'forcing' friends and aquaintences to view it as well--and none of them have complained afterwards.
Rating:
Summary: More relevant now than ever before.
Review: In the years since I became aware of this movie in Annie Hall, I fruitlessly searched theatres and rental shops for a copy. I finally purchased one and I can state unequivocably that it was one of the best purchases I ever made. In light of France's current(2003) behavior in the UN concerning Iraq, I found the film very enlightening--in spite of the shotcomings that have come to light in the years since its release. The movie provides valuable insights into the French character that many suspect but this is the first time that I have heard them from the mouths of the French themselves. Santayana said that those who do not know history are destined to French--ashamed of their past and in serious denial--have excised much of their history and revised the balance to fit their world view. Those who doubt that this is true should read the novels of Regine Deforges. Certainly there was a resistance--but the Vichy and the efforts and results of the French collaborators cannot be minimalized--nor the cruel streak that underlies both sides then, and I am certain, is there today. (Witness the French behavior during their nuclear bomb tests and how they handled Green peace protests.) This is a movie that should be required viewing--for everyone, not just the French or the Americans. It clearly illustrates the dangers of compromise and cannot recommend this movie enough. Allen did a wonderful job restoring the film--the subtitles on the dvd are clear and easily readable. The French-English translation is excellent--very comprehensive. I originally intended to purchase, view and resell. This is a part of my permanent library and I am 'forcing' friends and aquaintences to view it as well--and none of them have complained afterwards.
Rating:
Summary: A brilliant historical account and a must see...
Review: Marcel Ophüls portrays a true and objective image of the Nazi occupation of France between 1940 and 1944. During this time France was governed by a pro-Nazi French government and Ophüls rewinds the time to the memories of the war by interviewing former Resistance members, German soldiers, collaborators, spies, and many others from all walks of the French society. Through these interviews that are supported by film documentation from World War II Ophüls reveals two distinct sides of the French occupation. One side resisted the Nazi's and the other collaborated with them, and it is the line between the two sides that causes much pain and agony to the people of France during the Nazi occupation. The film brings the audience a personal and horrific narrative of the atrocities and crimes towards humanity that took place in France during the war, which cannot make one feel sorrow and pity for the French people. In the end, Sorrow and the Pity offers a brilliant historical account of what took place in France during the war, which should be viewed by all.
Rating:
Summary: A brilliant historical account and a must see...
Review: Marcel Ophüls portrays a true and objective image of the Nazi occupation of France between 1940 and 1944. During this time France was governed by a pro-Nazi French government and Ophüls rewinds the time to the memories of the war by interviewing former Resistance members, German soldiers, collaborators, spies, and many others from all walks of the French society. Through these interviews that are supported by film documentation from World War II Ophüls reveals two distinct sides of the French occupation. One side resisted the Nazi's and the other collaborated with them, and it is the line between the two sides that causes much pain and agony to the people of France during the Nazi occupation. The film brings the audience a personal and horrific narrative of the atrocities and crimes towards humanity that took place in France during the war, which cannot make one feel sorrow and pity for the French people. In the end, Sorrow and the Pity offers a brilliant historical account of what took place in France during the war, which should be viewed by all.
Rating:
Summary: A brilliant historical account and a must see...
Review: Marcel Ophüls portrays a true and objective image of the Nazi occupation of France between 1940 and 1944. During this time France was governed by a pro-Nazi French government and Ophüls rewinds the time to the memories of the war by interviewing former Resistance members, German soldiers, collaborators, spies, and many others from all walks of the French society. Through these interviews that are supported by film documentation from World War II Ophüls reveals two distinct sides of the French occupation. One side resisted the Nazi's and the other collaborated with them, and it is the line between the two sides that causes much pain and agony to the people of France during the Nazi occupation. The film brings the audience a personal and horrific narrative of the atrocities and crimes towards humanity that took place in France during the war, which cannot make one feel sorrow and pity for the French people. In the end, Sorrow and the Pity offers a brilliant historical account of what took place in France during the war, which should be viewed by all.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Documentary
Review: Thank goodness this is now available to US and Canadian viewers. Ophuls did a masterful job of interviewing members of the French Resistance and other participants in World War II. One can learn so much about this war from many interesting points of view not usually in our history books. Many of the people featured in this documentary are sadly long gone but their dedication and devotion to their cause is inspirational as well as informative.
Rating: 
Summary: Good title. Maybe I will stop French -bashing.
Review: The French are to be pitied. Lots of rationalization for losing the war. They did lose their war. They just ended up on the winning side. Lots of rationalization why their army lost to a smaller, inferior force, why there was so many colaborators
& the fiction that Vichy was anything but a puppet-state. On that note it is to Britain's & the United States' shame that they ever acknowledged it's existence or it's leaders. The alternative was to recognize the only man among boys, namely Charles DeGaulle. A son of a bitch to be sure, but recognizing him eariler would have saved England & the U.S. a lot of grief later. De Gaulle does not forget & does not forgive...ever.
This is all history. A painful & depressing movie (perfect for Woody Allen's character). I was embarassed for the French.
I recalled a line from Catch 22: "It is better to live on your knees than die on your feet."
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent documentary, overpriced DVD
Review: This documentary is very interesting and brilliantly covers the Nazi occupation of France. It's well-worth seeing and possibly even owning. However, the price is ridiculous, in my opinion. Yes, it's a four-hour movie but there are no extra features or supplementary materials to justify the price. It should cost about half this much. That said, the film is sure to please anyone interested in the subject matter. It's extremely well-made and gripping.
Rating:
Summary: France during WWII.
Review: This film, all four and one-half hours of it are an essential viewing experience for anyone who wants to know more about how a country can capitulate under oppression and actually join with the invaders to annihilate residents of their own country. During WWII, Paris was invaded in 1940 by the Germans. Huge numbers of residents grabbed a few possessions and loved one and fled to the south of France in utter terror. Marshall Petain collaborated with the Germans and soon it seemed thingsappeared to near normal but for the Jews. The Jews were hunted down and sent to the camps or killed outright by the Germans and the French. Huge numbers of Jewish children, French citizens, whom the Germans had not intended to kill were murdered by the French. Meanwhile, the French Resistance, almost immediately by some French, went into operation. The Resistance had not only the Germans to resist but also many of their own countrymen. This film, first viewed in 1969-70, was the first visual investigation of the part that France played when Vichy France and Marshall Petain collaborated with the Germans. Using footage of actual events and interviews with Germans and Vichy French citizens and members of the French Resistance and their loved ones, the host of this documentary presents a thoughtful and startling look at the people who were involved in WWII in France. A must film to view for any mature human being.
Rating:
Summary: Very moving documenary
Review: This is the most moving documentary I have seen. It transports the viewer back to World War II France and conveys the courage, cowardice and hatred arrising from events most of us will thankfully never have to live through. This film helps the viewer understand (or gain an insight)into life in occupied France.
I was born in 1968 - well after the end of WWII. Like most English people I hold the view that we either kicked French ass, or saved their skin depending on the particular conflict (we'll forget about the Norman invasion and Joan of Arc). However, given total collapse, would the UK or US be any different? Some people would collaborate (for ideological or financial reasons, perhaps for survival or out of ignorance), the majority would do nothing and the minority would resist. Would it be so different for any other country? One area the film touches on is the French treatment of Jews - it would appear the French were just as inhernly anti-semitic as the Germans. Anti semitism in france appears to be systemic (e.g. WWI ?Dreyfus affair).
One disturbing aspect of the film was the punishment of young women who slept with the Germans. The most minor acts of collaboration were treated the most harshly. The war in france during the occupation bordered on cival war between factions of the resistance (FFI, Gaulist) and Nazi groups (Millice). A situation amounting to anarchy existed for a short period after the liberation.
Sorrow and pity sum up what I felt for many of the individuals concerned. It presents a dilema I hope I am never faced with - we don't know how we would react both as nations or individuals unless placed in those circumstances. Probaly the closest the UK came was the Channel Islands, occupied from 40-45. The only part of the US that has lived under military occupation, since the revolution, is the South after the defeat of the Confederacy in 1865 - neither example is comprable to the total defeat of France in WWII. The doucmentary brings home the shades of grey in war. No conflict is balck or white, however much we wish it were. Otherwise 'normal' people do bad things - this film illustrates the moral ambiguity war imposes.
Easy to understand why France wants to forget this period.
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