The Sorrow and the Pity (1969): reparto, argumento y streaming

Released in 1969, The Sorrow and the Pity is a bélica, historia and documental film directed by Marcel Ophüls, running about 251 minutes. “Chronicle of a French City under the Occupation” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. From 1940 to 1944, France's Vichy government collaborated with Nazi Germany. Marcel Ophüls mixes archival footage with 1969 interviews of a German officer and of collaborators and resistance fighters from Clermont-Ferrand. They comment on the nature, details and reasons for the collaboration, from anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and fear of Bolsheviks, to simple caution. Part one, "The Collapse," includes an extended interview with Pierre Mendès-France, jailed for anti-Vichy action and later France's Prime Minister. At the heart of part two, "The Choice," is an interview with Christian de la Mazière, one of 7,000 French youth to fight on the eastern front wearing German uniforms.

Who’s in it. The Sorrow and the Pity stars Georges Bidault as Himself, Matthäus Bleibinger as Himself, Jacques Duclos as Himself and Anthony Eden as (also archive footage) (as Lord Avon), among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 7.6/10, The Sorrow and the Pity has been warmly received by audiences.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Sorrow and the Pity page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Sorrow and the Pity tend to enjoy La lista de Schindler, La tumba de las luciérnagas, El pianista and Apocalypse Now.