The second installment of a two-part French film series chronicling the World War II career of General Charles de Gaulle has been released, covering the period from January 1943 to the liberation of Paris in August 1944. Directed by Antonin Baudry, the film continues the story of de Gaulle’s leadership of the Free French forces and his complex relations with Allied powers during the final phases of the conflict.
Based on the biography by British historian Julian T. Jackson, the first film focused on de Gaulle’s emergence as the symbol of Free France from exile in London and his establishment of a French resistance movement based in northern Africa. The sequel follows his diplomatic and military struggles to assert French sovereignty amid tensions with U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, both portrayed as skeptical or reluctant allies wary of fully embracing de Gaulle’s authority.
The film depicts key military engagements, notably the Battle of Ksar Ghilane in Tunisia, where General Philippe Leclerc leads daring operations against German panzer divisions with limited resources. Leclerc’s role is highlighted as embodying de Gaulle’s vision of a resilient French military spirit. Meanwhile, the parallel underground resistance in occupied France, coordinated by civil servant Jean Moulin, is portrayed with considerable emotional weight, emphasizing the sacrifices made by those fighting clandestinely against the Nazi occupation.
Simon Abkarian returns as de Gaulle, conveying the general’s blend of determination, pride, and political acumen. The film explores his often fraught relationships with allied leaders, including his tactical maneuvering to maintain French autonomy in the post-liberation provisional government and his rivalry with General Henri Giraud. Winston Churchill is given particular attention, described as having an ongoing, complex “bromance” with de Gaulle, while Roosevelt’s skepticism casts a critical light on American attitudes toward France’s role in the postwar era.
Critics note the film’s patriotic fervor and stirring production values, with battle sequences staged to convey both intensity and heroism. The script balances moments of political intrigue with dramatic portrayals of military action and resistance efforts. Some reviewers suggest that while the film eschews deeper exploration of de Gaulle’s postwar career and the contentious issue of French Algeria, it effectively concludes the wartime narrative with a focus on France’s liberation and de Gaulle’s symbolic triumph.
Supporting roles include Niels Schneider as General Leclerc, Anamaria Vartolomei as the resistance fighter Livia, and Campbell Scott and Simon Russell Beale as Roosevelt and Churchill, respectively. The film’s pacing and design echo the qualities of classic wartime epics, emphasizing both grand historical events and personal character studies.
Released across the United Kingdom and Ireland, the film serves as both a tribute to de Gaulle’s wartime leadership and a reflection on France’s struggle for independence amid the complexities of Allied coalition politics during World War II.