Lacombe Lucien
Encyclopedia
Lacombe Lucien is a 1974 French film
that tells the story of a teenage boy during the German occupation of France in World War II
. It is based in part on director Louis Malle
's own experiences.
region is refused permission to join the French Resistance
. Instead, the opposing "French Gestapo" obtain from him information about an underground leader and recruit him into their organization.
Lucien enjoys his power and inclusion as a member of the German Police (Milice française
) but soon falls in love with a Jewish girl. Forcing himself upon her family, Lucien becomes personally involved with the very people some of his collaborators and superiors are, in part, employed to oppress.
. However, Malle was not allowed to shoot in Mexico (nor in Chile
), so he was forced to rewrite the script, giving it a wartime French setting. The script was then retitled Le milicien
.
, film critic for The New York Times
, liked the film and gave it a positive review. He wrote, "Lacombe, Lucien is easily Mr. Malle's most ambitious, most provocative film, and if it is not as immediately affecting as The Fire Within
or even the comic Murmur of the Heart
, it's because—to make his point—he has centered it on a character who must remain forever mysterious, forever beyond our sympathy."
Film critic Dan Schneider liked the film especially the casting of new actor Pierre Blaise by Louis Malle. He wrote, "Every so often a director makes an inspiring casting choice to not hire a real actor for a role, but go with an unknown, an amateur. Perhaps the best example of this was in Vittorio De Sica's 1952 film Umberto D... Yet, not that far behind has to be Louis Malle's decision to cast the lead character for his 1974 film, Lacombe, Lucien with an amateur named Pierre Blaise. No actor would likely be able to capture the natural ferality that Blaise brings to the role of a none-too-bright French farm boy who unwittingly, at first, becomes an accomplice and collaborator with the Gestapo in the final months of Vichy France, in late 1944."
Nominations
Cinema of France
The Cinema of France comprises the art of film and creative movies made within the nation of France or by French filmmakers abroad.France is the birthplace of cinema and was responsible for many of its early significant contributions. Several important cinematic movements, including the Nouvelle...
that tells the story of a teenage boy during the German occupation of France in World War II
German occupation of France in World War II
The Military Administration in France was an interim occupation authority established by Nazi Germany during World War II. It remained in existence from May 1940 to December 1944. As a result of the defeat of France and its Allies in the Battle of France, the French cabinet sought a cessation...
. It is based in part on director Louis Malle
Louis Malle
Louis Malle was a French film director, screenwriter, and producer. He worked in both French cinema and Hollywood. His films include Ascenseur pour l'échafaud , Atlantic City , and Au revoir, les enfants .- Early years in France :Malle was born into a wealthy industrialist family in Thumeries,...
's own experiences.
Plot
In 1944 Lucien Lacombe, a young peasant in the LotLot (département)
Lot is a department in the southwest of France named after the Lot River.- History :Lot is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790. It was created from part of the province of Languedoc. In 1808, some of the original southeastern cantons were...
region is refused permission to join the French Resistance
French Resistance
The French Resistance is the name used to denote the collection of French resistance movements that fought against the Nazi German occupation of France and against the collaborationist Vichy régime during World War II...
. Instead, the opposing "French Gestapo" obtain from him information about an underground leader and recruit him into their organization.
Lucien enjoys his power and inclusion as a member of the German Police (Milice française
Milice
The Milice française , generally called simply Milice, was a paramilitary force created on January 30, 1943 by the Vichy Regime, with German aid, to help fight the French Resistance. The Milice's formal leader was Prime Minister Pierre Laval, though its chief of operations, and actual leader, was...
) but soon falls in love with a Jewish girl. Forcing himself upon her family, Lucien becomes personally involved with the very people some of his collaborators and superiors are, in part, employed to oppress.
Cast
- Pierre BlaisePierre BlaisePierre Blaise, born Pierre-Marc Blaise, , a French actor. He is best known for the role of Lucien Lacombe in director Louis Malle's 1974 film Lacombe, Lucien.-Personal:...
as Lucien Lacombe - Aurore ClémentAurore ClémentAurore Clément is a French actress. She has performed in a number of motion pictures in both the French language and the English language as well as in television films and miniseries.-Early life:...
as France Horn - Stéphane Bouy as Jean-Bernard
- Therese GiehseTherese GiehseTherese Giehse , born Therese Gift, was a distinguished German actress. Born in Munich to German-Jewish parents, she first appeared on the stage in 1920. She became a major star on stage, in films, and in political cabaret...
as Bella Horn - Holger LöwenadlerHolger LöwenadlerHolger Löwenadler was a Swedish film actor. He starred in Ingmar Bergman's 1947 film A Ship to India. He appeared in the 1951 film Divorced, which was written by Bergman...
as Albert Horn - Stéphane Bouy as Jean-Bernard
- Loumi Iacobesco as Betty Beaulieu
- René Bouloc as Faure
- Pierre Decazes as Aubert
- Jean Rougerie as Tonin, the chief of police
- Cécile Ricard as Marie, the hotel maid
- Jacqueline Staup as Lucienne Chauvelot
- Ave Ninchi as Mme Georges
- Pierre Saintons as Hippolyte, the black collaborator
- Gilberte Rivet as Lucien's mother
- Jacques Rispal as M. Laborit, le propriétaire
Production
Originally, the script was entitled Le faucon ("The Falcon") and was supposed to be set in present-day MexicoMexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. However, Malle was not allowed to shoot in Mexico (nor in Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
), so he was forced to rewrite the script, giving it a wartime French setting. The script was then retitled Le milicien
Milice
The Milice française , generally called simply Milice, was a paramilitary force created on January 30, 1943 by the Vichy Regime, with German aid, to help fight the French Resistance. The Milice's formal leader was Prime Minister Pierre Laval, though its chief of operations, and actual leader, was...
.
Critical reception
Vincent CanbyVincent Canby
Vincent Canby was an American film critic who became the chief film critic for The New York Times in 1969 and reviewed more than 1000 films during his tenure there.-Life and career:...
, film critic for The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, liked the film and gave it a positive review. He wrote, "Lacombe, Lucien is easily Mr. Malle's most ambitious, most provocative film, and if it is not as immediately affecting as The Fire Within
The Fire Within
The Fire Within is a 1963 French drama film directed by Louis Malle. It is based on the novel of the same name by Pierre Drieu La Rochelle. The film stars Maurice Ronet as Alain Leroy, a recovering alcoholic at a rehabilitation clinic in Versailles who has depression...
or even the comic Murmur of the Heart
Murmur of the Heart
Murmur of the Heart is a 1971 French film by French director Louis Malle that tells a coming of age story about a 14-year-old boy growing up in bourgeois surroundings in post-World War II Dijon, France. The film proved to be a box office success across Europe, gaining 2,652,870 admissions in...
, it's because—to make his point—he has centered it on a character who must remain forever mysterious, forever beyond our sympathy."
Film critic Dan Schneider liked the film especially the casting of new actor Pierre Blaise by Louis Malle. He wrote, "Every so often a director makes an inspiring casting choice to not hire a real actor for a role, but go with an unknown, an amateur. Perhaps the best example of this was in Vittorio De Sica's 1952 film Umberto D... Yet, not that far behind has to be Louis Malle's decision to cast the lead character for his 1974 film, Lacombe, Lucien with an amateur named Pierre Blaise. No actor would likely be able to capture the natural ferality that Blaise brings to the role of a none-too-bright French farm boy who unwittingly, at first, becomes an accomplice and collaborator with the Gestapo in the final months of Vichy France, in late 1944."
Awards
Wins- National Board of Review: NBR Award, Best Supporting Actor, Holger Löwenadler; 1974.
- British Academy of Film and Television ArtsBritish Academy of Film and Television ArtsThe British Academy of Film and Television Arts is a charity in the United Kingdom that hosts annual awards shows for excellence in film, television, television craft, video games and forms of animation.-Introduction:...
: BAFTA Film Award, Best Film; UN Award; 1975. - French Syndicate of Cinema CriticsFrench Syndicate of Cinema CriticsThe French Syndicate of Cinema Critics has awarded 4 prizes - the Prix Méliès annually since 1946 to the best French film of the year. The Prix Léon Moussinac, awarded to the Best Foreign Film category was added in 1967...
: Critics Award, Best Film, Louis Malle; 1975. - National Society of Film CriticsNational Society of Film CriticsThe National Society of Film Critics is an American film critic organization. As of December 2007 the NSFC had approximately 60 members who wrote for a variety of weekly and daily newspapers.-History:...
Awards, USA: NSFC Award, Best Supporting Actor, Holger Löwenadler; 1975.
Nominations
- Academy AwardsAcademy AwardsAn Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
: Oscar, Best Foreign Language FilmAcademy Award for Best Foreign Language FilmThe Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film is one of the Academy Awards of Merit, popularly known as the Oscars, handed out annually by the U.S.-based Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences...
, France; 1975. - British Academy of Film and Television Arts: BAFTA Film Award, Best Direction, Louis Malle; Best Screenplay, Louis Malle and Patrick Modiano; 1975.
- Golden Globes: Golden Globe, Best Foreign Film, France; 1975.
External links
- Lacombe Lucien essay at the Criterion Collection by Pauline Kael
- Lacombe, Lucien film trailer at You Tube
- Lacombe, Lucien images at EyeGate