History has given Charles de Gaulle an almost mythological status, but De Gaulle: Résistance does something particularly effective with that legacy: it puts the man before the monument. Directed by Antonin Baudry, this sweeping historical drama follows de Gaulle during the crucial years of 1940–1945, beginning with the collapse of France and his decision to flee to London rather than accept defeat. From there, the film charts his increasingly determined campaign to convince the world — and the French people — that the fight for France is far from over.
At the centre of the film is Simon Abkarian, who delivers a formidable performance as de Gaulle. There is an imposing physicality to his portrayal, but Abkarian also understands that the character’s greatest weapon isn’t military strength. It is conviction. De Gaulle is stubborn, proud and occasionally infuriating, yet his refusal to accept that France has been defeated becomes the very quality that allows him to emerge as a symbol of resistance.
That makes his relationship with Winston Churchill particularly compelling. Simon Russell Beale brings considerable personality to Churchill, and the dynamic between the two men provides some of the film’s most entertaining and dramatically charged moments. Their alliance is important, but it is hardly straightforward, with both men possessing enormous egos and very different ideas about how the war should be fought.
Baudry gives the story an appropriately epic scale. The production moves between political negotiations, military operations and the growing resistance movement, giving the film the feeling of a nation slowly awakening from defeat. The cinematography and production design create an impressive sense of period authenticity, while Volker Bertelmann’s score adds weight to the film’s larger emotional moments.
At 160 minutes, however, De Gaulle: Résistance is undeniably a substantial commitment. There are moments when the film feels more interested in covering historical ground than exploring some of its characters in greater depth. Its broad storytelling can occasionally feel traditional, particularly when compared with more intimate modern historical dramas.
But that old-fashioned approach also works in the film’s favour. De Gaulle: Résistance isn’t attempting to reinvent the wartime biopic. Instead, it embraces the grand scale, political intrigue and inspirational storytelling of the classic historical epic. What makes it particularly intriguing is that this is only the first chapter of a larger story. The film concludes with de Gaulle’s journey continuing, setting the stage for De Gaulle: Liberté, which follows as the second instalment.
De Gaulle: Résistance succeeds because it understands that its story isn’t simply about winning a war. It is about refusing to believe that the war has already been lost. Simon Abkarian gives the film its beating heart, portraying de Gaulle as both an extraordinary leader and a deeply complicated man. Baudry surrounds him with impressive production values and a strong ensemble, creating a sweeping piece of historical cinema that should appeal to audiences who enjoy their war dramas with plenty of political intrigue.
Screening at Luna Leederville and the Windsor Cinema from September 3.
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