La Bataille du Rail

original title:
La Bataille du Rail
other titles:
The Battle of the Rails
country / year of production:
France / 1946
original length:
85 min. , black/white
premiere:
27 February 1946
genre:
melodrama
based on:
director:
René Clément
film script:
René Clément
producer:
cinematographer:
Henri Alekan
editor:
Jacques Desagneaux
composer:
Yves Baudrier
cast (role):
Jean Daurand (Cheminot) , Jacques Desagneaux (Athos) , Jean Clarieux (Lampin) , Fernand Rauzéna (Cheminot) , Jean Daurand , Jacques Desagneaux , Jean Clarieux , Fernand Rauzéna
more:
Charles Boyer (Erzähler/Narrator) , Charles Boyer
plot synopsis:
The film depicts the efforts of French railway workers of the Chalon-sur-Saone region who supported the activities of the Resistance during the Nazi occupation in World War II. It consists of two halves: the first part appears like a documentary showing the railway workers` secret war methods, the smuggling of men, material, and information ending with the execution of Resistance members, whilst the second half resembles more a conventional war film as it tells the story of how German convoy „Apfelkern“ sabotaged.
keywords:
war:
Second World War (1939-1945)
literature:
Jean-Pierre Berthon-Maghit. „La bataille du rail. De l’authenticité à la chanson de geste“. Revue d`histoire moderne et contemporaine 33 (Apr.-June 1986), 280-300.
remarks:
The film was produced immediately after the war- strongly supported by the French railway company and organizations of the Resistance. Although it is very close to the events it depicts, the film is astonishingly unbiased. There are no heros, no villains. Whether French or German, soldiers or civilians, everyone plays his anonymous role. Many of the actors are actually amateurs (re-)playing their own personal experiences. As fair as the film deals with its protagonists it is clear in its interpretation of the events it portrays: Without the activities of the resistance, the alliied landing in Normandy could not have been sucessful.

Won the Prize for Best Competing Film, Best director and the Special Prize of the Jury at the first Festival of Cannes in 1946.
availability:
DVD