Somewhere in Europe, in a city occupied by the Nazis, a gentle school teacher finds himself torn between collaboration and resistance, cowardice and courage.
Jean Renoir's 1943 film has its passionate defenders; the unfortunate thing, though, is that it needs them.
– Dave Kehr,
Chicago Reader,
8 May 2007
rotten:
One of his quietest and least startling.
– Geoff Andrew,
Time Out,
24 Jun 2006
fresh:
It should have been stronger drama than it is. But for the points it does make and its concept of man as a continuing vessel for freedom's fire, it is certainly well worth seeing. It comes close, even if doesn't quite hit the mark.