Film Synopsis
Army of Shadows (1969) centers on a determined Resistance leader who rejoins an underground network after escaping captivity, undertaking dangerous operations across occupied France alongside fellow operatives. As betrayals, arrests, and impossible choices place every mission in jeopardy, unwavering discipline, mutual trust, and extraordinary sacrifice become essential to the struggle for survival. This French-Italian war drama presents a restrained and deeply human portrait of resistance, exploring courage, loyalty, moral conviction, and the enduring cost of defying oppression.
Army of Shadows Blu-ray & DVD editions
See which disc extras are included across selected editions.
| Disc Extras | Criterion BD-A/US 2020 | Studio Canal BD-B/UK 2017 | Studio Canal BD-B/UK/OOP 2013 | Criterion BD-A/US/OOP 2011 | Criterion DVD-1/US/OOP 2007 | BFI DVD-2 PAL/UK/OOP 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio Commentary by Ginette Vincendeau | ||||||
| “Army of Shadows”...The Hidden Side of the Story | ||||||
| In the Mood for Melville | ||||||
| Jean-Pierre Melville et “L’armée des ombres” | ||||||
| Restoration Demonstration - With Cinematographer Pierre Lhomme | ||||||
| Editing with Melville - Interview with Editor Françoise Bonnot | ||||||
| Revisiting a Masterpiece - Interview with Cinematographer Pierre Lhomme | ||||||
| “Chronicles de France: Jean-Pierre Melville, Filmmaker” - TV Episode Segment | ||||||
| “L’invité du dimanche” - TV Interview Excerpts | ||||||
| “Libération, libération: Le cinéma de l’ombre” - TV Interview Excerpts with Actress Simone Signoret and Resistance Member Lucie Aubrac | ||||||
| “Ouvrez les guillemets” - TV Interview Excerpts | ||||||
| Stills Gallery - Color Tests | ||||||
| French Theatrical Trailer | ||||||
| US 2006 Premiere Trailer | ||||||
| “24 heures de la vie d’un clown” | ||||||
| “Le journal de la Résistance” |
Edition and Packaging Notes
- Criterion’s Blu-ray and DVD editions include a 48-page booklet with writing by Amy Taubin (“Out of the Shadows”) and Robert Paxton (“Melville’s French Resistance”), and “Melville on Melville: ‘Army of Shadows’” (interview excerpts from “Melville on Melville” (1971) by Rui Nogueira).
- Studio Canal’s 2017 Blu-ray is included in the “Melville: The Essential Collection” box set with Bob le flambeur (1956), Léon Morin, prêtre (1961), Le doulos (1962), Le cercle rouge (1970) and Un flic (1972); and includes a 60-page booklet. Reissued separately (2024/06/03). The “In the Mood for Melville” extra is also available on Kino’s Blu-ray of Un flic (1972). The “24 heures de la vie d’un clown” short is also available on Criterion’s Blu-ray of Le Silence de la Mer (1949) and Kino’s Blu-ray of Léon Morin, Priest (1961).
- Studio Canal’s 2013 “StudioCanal Collection” Blu-ray includes a 20-page booklet with writing by Ginette Vincendeau.
- BFI’s DVD includes a booklet with writing by Jean-Michel Frodon.
~ Found an error or know of another edition? Submit a correction or release update. ~