Marie-Octobre
Directed by Julien Duvivier
Written by Henri Jeanson, Julien Duvivier and Jacques Robert from Robert’s novel
1959/France
Abbey Films/Doxa Films/Orex Films/Societe Francaise du Theatre et Cinema
First viewing/YouTube

[box] “Whatever happens, the flame of French resistance must not be put out.” -Charles de Gaulle[/box]

Some of France’s most recognizable actors of the era bring class but not enough oomph to this stage-bound drawing room mystery.

Members of a French Resistance cell hold a reunion 15 years after VE Day.  Marie-Octobre (Danielle Darrieux), the lone woman in the group, has discovered that one of their number had ratted out their leader before he was shot and killed by the Gestapo.  She and a trusted friend have orchestrated the dinner to ferret out the culprit.

The evening consists of a tangled web of questions, accusations, confessions and lies. Then the group must struggle over what penalty the guilty party deserves.

What could have been a suspenseful story of courage and betrayal is reduced to a lot of talk, talk, talk.  Duvivier keeps his camera moving within the confines of the salon and the actors keep the conversation lively but this could have been a much better film with a few selected flashbacks.

Clip (no subtitles)