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La Combe Lucien(Criterion Collection)

 

 

Produced, Written and Directed by Louis Malle

France-Italy-West Germany 1974 / Drama / War / Coming-of-Age / Psychological / Romance / 138 min / Color / Monaural /
1.66: 1 Widescreen Anamorphic / NTSC /  In French with Optional English Subtitles

 

Pierre Blaise, Aurore Clément, Holger Loewenadler , Therese Giehse , Stephane Bouy , Loumi Iacobesco, Jean Rougerie

One of the first French films to address the issue of collaboration during the German Occupation, Louis Malle’s brave and controversial Lacombe, Lucien traces a young peasant’s journey from potential Resistance member to Gestapo recruit. At once the story of a nation and one troubled boy’s horrific coming of age, the film is a disquieting portrait of lost innocence and guilt.

With a superb music score by Django Reinhardt, this is a Louis Malle film about the German occupation of France. Based on his own experiences in France during the occupation, Malle's film does not paint a pretty picture of the French Resistance and eventually he emigrated to America because of the critical reaction to this film. Essentially the tale of a young boy who wants to join the Resistance but is shunned by them because of his youth, he joins the Gestapo. Unfortunately, he then falls in love with a young Jewish girl. Push comes to shove and he suddenly has the unsympathetic Resistance and the Gestapo hot on his trail. Not a pretty picture of either side.

 
       
Bonus Features: New, restored high-definition digital transfer / Original theatrical trailer / New and improved English subtitle translation