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For simultaneous translation, turn on CC and then hit the “gear“ and turn on auto-translate. Join this channel to get access to perks: Want to learn more about Periscope Film and get access to exclusive swag? Join us on Patreon. Visit Visit our website This Soviet film presents a look at the daring French resistance to German occupation during the Second World War. The French Resistance significantly aided in facilitating the Allied forces advance through France. This film also touches on socialist / communist aspects of the resistance movement, which were of special interest to the Russians. This film opens with a shot of a vintage Soviet Studio graphic leader (:08) produced by a studio based in Moscow. The title screen follows reading 'Resistance Movement in France'. It opens up on a long dark shot of the Arc de Triomphe (:16). The stunning cathedral of Notre Dame appears briefly (:17). German cavalry trot by (:19) in June of 1940. This is the tail end of the battle of France which began in May of 1940. Wehrmacht soldiers march to a high viewing point to gaze over what had been bloodily captured (:29). The German fascist flag is raised as French gargoyles watch solemnly (:37). Scenes follow from the French delegation meeting on June 22 and the signing of the Armistice Agreement imposed by Germany (:40). This was a reopened sore as it was in the same location of the 1918 Armistice. German troop hold French civilians at gunpoint (:58) at the start of the occupation. The French immediately set to resist the occupation. Nearly 500,000 worked for the resistance carrying out acts of revolt and sabotage. French resistance newspaper clippings appear (1:12). Jacques Desoubrie (1:19) published an appeal on July 10th (1:24) to the people of France. A bridge is blown (1:36) and a train is derailed and crashes off the tracks following an explosion (1:40). Antifascist; including soviet's, work to dismantle a rail line (1:44). Combat erupts (1:50); civilian resistors drop to the ground (2:00). A 17 year old underground fighter (2:09) lost his life. In total about 90,000 were killed or tortured. Danielle Casanova is pictured (2:19); a communist party member and a major player in the resistance to the Nazi forces. Germans kick down French doors (2:22). By November of 1942 all of France was occupied (2:26). Civilians are marched with hands atop their heads (2:26). The Nazi party moved to take control of the Toulon Naval Fleet (2:30). In an act of fatal heroism, French navy men scuttled their own vessels (2:35) on November 27th, 1942. A series of bulbous explosions erupt (2:44). Nazi forces futilely attempt to crush the flames (2:47). Forces move across the wasted and charred lands of Europe (2:52). The narrator mentions French female resistors (3:01). On June 18 1940, General Charles de Gaulle addresses French civilians outside of the country to aide in liberation of the country (3:09). The papers of the SFIC Communist party appear again (3:24). Papers announce a National Council Meeting in order to unite the resistance factions (3:30). Various resistance papers appear (3:38). Troops spill from amphibious landing vehicles (3:44). Tanks roll in (3:42). A German fascist flag appears crumpled on the ground (3:57). A second front was opened. German troops surrender (3:59). Forces work to move a cannon (4:19). Pierre Georges; also known as Colonel Fabien (4:22) is pictured. Tank warfare (4:30). Smoke billows from an embankment (4:33). A grenade is tossed from the window (4:37). It blows a tank (4:39). Rebels liberate streets one by one (4:46). August 24th brought the Free French General Leclerc (4:52) and his tanks. Civilians celebrate their arrival (4:57). Military jeeps ride under the Eiffel tower (4:59). Scenes of liberation (5:11) and the Arc du Triomphe close the film (5:16). Motion picture films don't last forever; many have already been lost or destroyed. For almost two decades, we've worked to collect, scan and preserve the world as it was captured on 35mm, 16mm and 8mm movies -- including home movies, industrial films, and other non-fiction. If you have endangered films you'd like to have scanned, or wish to donate celluloid to Periscope Film so that we can share them with the world, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us via the weblink below. This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit
