Le dernier métro (1980)

Second viewing; previously seen on January 10, 1988.

English title: The Last Metro.

In Paris under the Occupation, a play is being produced. The former director is Jewish and reportedly has escaped the country; in fact, he is hiding in the theater premises. His wife runs the production now, and secretly meets with him at night. His instructions regarding the staging of the play are faithfully followed, and he is able to hear the rehearsals from his hiding place. A French Nazi critic smells something funny, but despite him the production continues. They hire a new male lead whose previous experience was in the Grand Guignol; he is secretly helping the Resistance. Several petty dramas among the cast and staff are shown.

I do not have much to say about this film. I hated it on first viewing, but cannot understand the exact reasons for that early disliking. I still think the dialogue is very cliché-ridden, and the situations are at times less interesting or convincing than I would expect, but overall the film is not bad, and gives a reasonably honest and entertaining depiction of the artistic environment during World War II.

Rating: 50 (up from 29)