Patrie

Although it happens in Flandres ,in the sixteenth century,it is actually the occupied France in WW2.During that period,the directors had to find their inspiration in the past as was so often the case with their movies of that era (Carné's "Les Visiteurs Du Soir" ).In 1945,France was a free country again,and there was no more reason to "conceal" the message;the directors,especially René Clément, made no bones about it ("Le Père TRanquille" )

Oddly,"Patrie" (=homeland,the title is revealing) is about a Flemish abortive attempt to free themselves from the yoke of their oppressors,the Spanish.The Flemish as the French,the Spanish as the German,and a beautiful woman as a collaborationist .

Pierre Blanchar is the leader of the rebels ,his mission is to help Guillaume d'Orange get into the town and come to power;but alas ,his best friend,Carlo (Jean Dessailly) ,is his wife's lover and she is not prepared to see her love sacrificed for the sake of the country .

This is a really good drama in costume ,with lots of courage,cruelty,treason,and a grandiose finale.

Louis Daquin 's way was very special: in "Nous Les Gosses" (1942) he put his trust in the future ,then flirted with the Vichy ideology ("Le Voyageur De La Toussaint",and mainly "Premier De Cordée") before celebrating the resistance.

Like this?try this.....

"La Kermesse Héroïque " Jacques Feyder ,1935