Watch Incident at Vichy

Incident at Vichy is a 1973 film directed by Stacy Keach, based on Arthur Miller's play of the same name. The movie features an ensemble cast, including Rene Auberjonois, Ed Bakey, and Lee Bergere. Set in Vichy, France, during World War II, the film examines the Holocaust and the moral crisis that ensued. The movie opens with a group of men in a waiting room, anxiously waiting for their turn to be questioned by the authorities. They have been rounded up and brought to Vichy, which, at the time, was the seat of the collaborationist government of Marshal Philippe Pétain, who had signed an armistice with Nazi Germany. The men are from all walks of life: a painter, a doctor, a businessman, a musician, a waiter, a gypsy, a Jew, and an Austrian prince. As they wait, they discuss their situation and try to make sense of what is happening to them.

Gradually, it becomes clear that the men are being questioned about their identity, as the authorities suspect that some of them might be Jewish. The questioning is conducted by a German officer, a French police commissioner, and a French professor, and the tension builds as they try to extract information from the men. The questions range from the trivial to the ominous, and the men become increasingly aware of the danger they are in.

As the questioning continues, the men begin to realize the gravity of their situation. They are confronted with their own prejudices, their own fears, and their own complicity in the events that are unfolding around them. They begin to understand that they are not just victims of the Holocaust, but also witnesses to it, and that their silence and indifference have contributed to the tragedy.

The film reaches its climax when a young boy, who has been separated from his mother and father, is brought into the waiting room. The men are asked if they know him, and if they can identify him. This scene is both heartbreaking and powerful, as the men are forced to confront the reality of the Holocaust and their own culpability in it.

Incident at Vichy is a powerful and thought-provoking film that explores themes of identity, morality, and complicity. The ensemble cast delivers strong performances, and the direction and cinematography are effective in creating a tense and claustrophobic atmosphere. Although the film is set during World War II, it resonates strongly in today's world, where questions of identity and morality continue to be paramount. Overall, it is a must-watch for anyone interested in history, human nature, and the complexities of the human experience.