Arrêtez les tambours (1960)
Directed by Georges Lautner

Drama
aka: Women and War

Film Synopsis

France, towards the end of WWII.  Dr Leproux is the mayor of the village of Courdimanche, an open-minded humanist who helps the resistance fighters whilst being on good terms with his colleague Frantz, a German medical officer.  Leproux is often visited by his daughter Catherine, who assists Frantz at the hospital, to the chagrin of her husband.  Leproux's apparent unwillingness to take sides begins to shock some of the villagers and one day a German patrol is directed to his house, just as some resistance members are taking away an Englishman he has been treating.  The latter is killed in the ensuing battle and, the following day, Leproux is arrested and threatened with being shot.  Hoping to win Catherine's heart, Frantz provides the doctor with an alibi which secures his release.  Catherine's liaison with the German officer arouses the hostility of the villagers, and the resistance fighters use this as an opportunity to trap the remaining German troops.  Once the Germans have been disposed of, it will be time to take revenge against Leproux and his daughter...
© James Travers
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Film Credits

  • Director: Georges Lautner
  • Script: Pierre Laroche, Georges Lautner, Richard Prentout (story)
  • Cinematographer: Maurice Fellous
  • Music: Georges Delerue
  • Cast: Bernard Blier (Mayor Leproux), Lucile Saint-Simon (Catherine Leproux), Lutz Gabor (Maj. Frantz), Anne Doat (Dany), Béatrice Bretty (Germaine), Daniel Sorano (Toulousain), Paulette Dubost (Widow), Henri Virlojeux (Drummer), Jacques Marin (Grocer), Jacques Chabassol, Guy Dakar, Catherine Le Couey, Christian Melsen
  • Country: France
  • Language: French
  • Support: Black and White
  • Runtime: 100 min
  • Aka: Women and War

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