Watch The Cross of Lorraine

The Cross of Lorraine, released in 1943, is a war drama set in France during World War II. The movie follows a group of French soldiers who have been captured by the Germans and are being held in a POW camp. The soldiers are determined to escape and join the French Resistance. The film begins with a flashback to 1939, just before the war breaks out. The main character, Jean Matrac (played by Jean-Pierre Aumont), is a French soldier who is called up to fight for his country. He has a wife and child, but they are separated when he is sent to the front lines. After being captured by the Germans, Matrac is sent to the POW camp along with several other French soldiers.

In the camp, the French soldiers are mistreated and abused by the German guards. They are forced to do hard labor and are given little food or water. Matrac is singled out for punishment when he refuses to follow the orders of the German commander, Captain Von Arndt (played by Cedric Hardwicke).

Despite the harsh conditions, the French soldiers band together and plan an escape. They dig a tunnel under the fence surrounding the camp, but their plan is discovered by the Germans. In the ensuing chaos, several of the soldiers are killed or recaptured, while Matrac manages to get away.

After escaping the camp, Matrac joins the French Resistance and becomes involved in several missions to sabotage the Germans. He also reunites with his wife, who is working with the Resistance as a nurse. However, their happiness is short-lived when the Germans capture Matrac and his comrades.

The final scenes of the movie show Matrac and the other French Resistance fighters being executed by the Germans. However, their deaths are not in vain, as their sacrifice inspires others to continue fighting for their freedom.

Overall, The Cross of Lorraine is a powerful portrayal of the bravery and sacrifice of the French people during World War II. The movie highlights the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity, and the bond of brotherhood that unites soldiers in times of war. The performances by Jean-Pierre Aumont, Gene Kelly, and Cedric Hardwicke are all excellent, and the movie's message of courage and perseverance in the face of oppression continues to resonate with audiences today.

The Cross of Lorraine is a 1943 war movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.