Beyond War: Standing Tall Amidst Occupiers

Read Time:3 Minute, 39 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Day and the Hour (Le jour et l'heure)
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Genre: Action, Drama, Romance
Year Released: 1963, 2023 Kino Lorber Blu-ray
Runtime: 1h 50m
Director(s): René Clément
Writer(s): René Clément (adaptation,) Roger Vailland (adaptation,) André Barret (screenplay,) Roger Vailland (dialogue,) Clement Biddle Wood (English dialogue)
Cast: Simone Signoret, Stuart Whitman, Michel Piccoli, Genevieve Page, Marcel Bozzuffi, Reggie Nalder, Billy Kearns, Hénia Suchar, Carl Studer
Where To Watch: available now here www.kinolorber.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Brace yourself for a journey through occupied France circa 1944, courtesy of THE DAY AND THE HOUR. Let's dive into the visual chronicles of Thérèse Dutheil, brought to life with finesse by Simone Signoret. Imagine the surprise when Thérèse, in a twist that could rival any plot device, discovers Allied pilots blending in among goats, of all places! They're on a mission to hit the streets of Paris and boy, René Clément steers their story with flair, giving us a front-row seat to wartime emotions, deep-seated dilemmas, and the rollercoaster of human emotions when stakes are sky-high.

Stuart Whitman as Allan Morley, who crashes into Thérèse's life at a pivotal junction. Their first meetings? Think fire and ice, a juxtaposition of wartime distrust and developing curiosity. Yet as the story evolves, their bond soars, becoming the heart and soul of the movie. While cinema overflows with tales set against the French resistance backdrop, THE DAY AND THE HOUR waltzes in with its flair. It's not just about the war; it's about what simmers beneath – the daily dance between standing tall and the occasional bow to daunting forces, especially with ominous occupiers lurking. Amid this grand tableau, Signoret and Whitman whip up a tale that's equal parts suspense, romance, and, yes, a dash of chuckle thrown in for good measure.

It's undeniable; Clément's directorial brushstrokes are nothing short of artistry. From edge-of-the-seat train sequences that'll have you biting your nails to Signoret lost in an ocean of people, every frame is a visual story. Instead of being jarring, the looming presence of a German soldier is portrayed in such a way that you'd think it's a still from a high-end fashion shoot—pure cinematic gold.

Yet, like that one errant popcorn kernel, the movie has flaws. While Signoret and Whitman shine, their romance occasionally feels like it's running on Hollywood clichés. The drama sometimes cranks up a notch too high, threatening to overshadow the delicate balance Clément has otherwise maintained. A little tweak or two, and voila, perfection!

Peeling back its layers, THE DAY AND THE HOUR is a tribute to the spirit of stories set against the formidable canvas of war. It's where love meets duty, moral compasses are tested, and survival isn't just about breathing but living. Thérèse's journey through this chaos is a glowing beacon of human resilience and the lengths we go to shield those we cherish.

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[photo courtesy of KINO LORBER]

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