The new French film "De Gaulle: Resistance" offers a portrayal of Winston Churchill that deviates sharply from the heroic, faultless figure often depicted in modern cinema. The film, which stars Sir Simon Russell Beale as Churchill, presents him as a more complex and uncertain man, highlighting his struggles and occasional misjudgments.
"De Gaulle: Resistance" also delves into the relationship between Churchill and French General Charles de Gaulle. The film depicts Britain's initial cautious treatment of de Gaulle after he fled to London in June 1940, providing him with a small room to rally Free French forces. Churchill's initial inclination to abandon collaboration with de Gaulle is shown, but he later changes his mind, allowing de Gaulle to make a pivotal BBC broadcast on June 18, 1940, marking the beginning of France's resistance.
The film further explores the dynamic between the two leaders, with "Churchill growling and de Gaulle snapping." De Gaulle's insistence on embodying France is a central theme, a claim Churchill initially contests. The drama highlights de Gaulle's unwavering refusal to accept defeat and his capacity for ruthlessness and courage, which ultimately inspired the French people.
A significant element of the film is its depiction of the strained relationship between de Gaulle and U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt. Roosevelt is portrayed as a cold and tricky figure who initially favors Vichy collaborators over de Gaulle due to their pliability. In one scene, Roosevelt berates Churchill for failing to control de Gaulle. De Gaulle, in turn, explains his defiance of Roosevelt by warning that if he does not assert France's independence, even when weak, France could become an American vassal, a fate he suggests Britain also faces if not careful.
The film's narrative suggests historical consequences, drawing a parallel between de Gaulle's assertion of French independence and France's current status with its nuclear deterrent, which is entirely designed and controlled within France. This contrasts with the depiction of the U.S. nuclear deterrent, which relies on American missiles and designs, potentially requiring U.S. permission for launch.
Despite the film's pro-de Gaulle stance, it is based on a biography of the General by Englishman Julian Jackson. The portrayal of Churchill by Sir Simon Russell Beale is described as captivating and believable, even when depicting the British leader in less flattering moments, such as struggling to speak French or wearing an unusual reddish tweed suit.
The film challenges the modern tendency to present Churchill as an unblemished hero, suggesting that such depictions obscure the reasons why he faced distrust from King George VI and much of the Conservative Party, and why he was voted out of office in 1945. Truly great individuals, the film implies, are often complex, awkward, and not always likable.
Simon Abkarian portrays Charles de Gaulle, capturing the General's imposing stature and his aloof, brooding, yet fiercely determined persona. The film suggests that de Gaulle's perceived arrogance and demands stemmed from his deep conviction that he represented the embodiment of France, a notion that eventually gained Churchill's respect.
