Le silence de la mer (2004) (TV)

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Director:

Pierre Boutron

Writers:

Anne Giafferi (adaptation)
Vercors (novel)

Release Date:

24 October 2004 (Belgium)

Genre:

Drama | War

Plot Keywords:

Piano | WWII | Nazi | French Resistance | Nazi Occupation

Cast

Julie Delarme	...	Jeanne Larosière
Michel Galabru	...	André Larosière
Thomas Jouannet	...	Werner Von Ebrennac
Marie Bunel	...	Marie
Timothée Ferrand	...	Pierre
Jean-Baptiste Puech	...	Pascal
Jorg Schnass	...	Officier 1 (as Jörg Schnass)
Jorn Cambreleng	...	Officier 2 (as Jörn Cambreleng)
Franck Beckmann	...	Ordonnance
Alexander Ashkenazy	...	François
Hélène Vauquois	...	Mère François
Jean Philippe Mesmain	...	Père Solange
Lucie Barret	...	Solange
Claude Andrzejewski	...	Louis
Tony Lotaire	...	Enfant 12 ans

Runtime:

France:90 min | France:100 min

Country:

France | Belgium

Language:

French

Color:

Color

Company:

Expand Drama

Movie Connections:

Remake of Le silence de la Mer (1949)

Wonderful remake of the 1947 Classic

The story starts in November 1941 in Nazi occupied France. A pretty, young and orphaned girl (late teens to early 20s) lives with her paternal grandfather, her only relative, in a comfortable villa. Proud but reserved, she gives piano lessons with unusual zeal and passion. One day, her house is invaded by the occupying Germans, and her parents' suite becomes the home of the local German Commander.

However, this Nazi is a refined Francofile, a classical pianist and composer. He's also extremely handsome, and tries to make this embarrassing situation as acceptable as possible.

This film is a remake of one of the best movies made in post World War II Europe, with a few adaptations to the original script, based on the novel 'LE SILENCE DE LA MER', published underground around February of 1942.

With a French actor speaking slightly (but not caricature) German accented French, the German lieutenant character is quite believable. His Aryan looks certainly confirms his "authenticity" as the cultured (French-like) though disciplined (German-like) Nazi; an enemy a refined girl could possibly fall in love with.

The original novel was practically a sacred book in France during the 1942-45 period, and a powerful symbol of the French Resistance. The 1947 film, due to budget and mainly personal and political problems, was, in hindsight, not as believable and well filmed as this new version. That said, the 1947 will probably always remain the definite version.

But, nevertheless, this new made for TV movie is well worth seeing for its timeless anti-war, pro-humanity themes. The gorgeous cinematography, and excellent performances by perfectly casted actors make it a pleasant experience for the eyes and the mind, regardless of all else, including the inevitable comparisons to the 1947 film and the novel. It is now playing on the cable TV "Eurochannel" transmitted by Satellite and "DirecTV" in the Americas, and should not be missed!