Army of Shadows is a 1969 French film directed by Jean-Pierre Melville. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Joseph Kessel, who was a member of the French Resistance during World War II. The story takes place in 1942, during the Nazi occupation of France.
Philippe Gerbier (played by Lino Ventura) is the leader of a Resistance cell working in Marseilles. He is betrayed by a fellow Resistance member who is working as an informant for the Nazis. Gerbier is captured and sent to a Nazi prison camp. While in captivity, he meets other Resistance members, including a doctor named Luc Jardie (played by Paul Meurisse) and a forger named Claude Ullmann (played by Christian Barbier).
Gerbier manages to escape from the prison camp and goes underground, joining forces with other Resistance members who are hiding in the shadows. Together, they work to disrupt Nazi operations and sabotage their plans. However, the situation is dangerous and fraught with peril, as the Nazis are constantly on the hunt for Resistance members and anyone who may be suspected of aiding them.
Gerbier and his fellow Resistance fighters must navigate a complex web of secrets and lies, never knowing who they can trust. They are constantly on the move, hiding in safe houses or moving through the countryside, trying to stay one step ahead of the enemy. Along the way, they must grapple with questions of morality and the value of human life in a time of war.
Army of Shadows is a powerful and emotionally charged film that explores the bravery and sacrifices of those who fought against Nazi oppression during World War II. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of hope in the face of unimaginable adversity.