The Eye of Vichy

The Eye of Vichy
by Claude Chabrol

The Eye of Vichy
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DVD details

Actor: Brian Cox, Charles Huntziger, Erwin Rommel, Michel Bouquet, Pierre Laval
Director: Claude Chabrol
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language); French (Original Language)
Format: Black & White, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 110 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-01-21
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: FIRST RUN FEATURES

DVD Reviews of The Eye of Vichy

DVD Review: An interesting documentary on Vichy France
Summary: 5 Stars

The Vichy government in France during WW II was basically a puppet government that was collaborating with the Nazis. "The Eye of Vichy" gives us tremendous insight into the Vichy propaganda machine through a well put together compilation of 1940s film reels and newsreels not to mention photographs, speeches etc. The Nazi puppet, Field Marshal Petain and his government worked with the Nazis to produce pro-Nazi propaganda. It was strange [given our own knowledge of the actual history] to see Frenchmen 'volunteering' to go to Germany to work as slave labor in Germany's factories.

This alternate history that was put together by Petain's government is astounding in the large scope of its absurdity and blatant lies, but it showcases the Vichy government's attempts to manipulate French citizens and turn them against the Allies and the Jews.

A must-watch documentary for those interested in the propaganda machinery of the Vichy government during WW II, and anyone interested in the history of fascism.

DVD Review: Collaboration Ground Zero.
Summary: 5 Stars

This is an infinitely watchable, very well done documentary about the mystery that was Vichy France. It's a perfect companion to Ophul's The Sorrow and the Pity. There really is not a central narrative here as they let the films speak for themselves. They really do tell one just about everything they need to know about the weird mix of fascism and bureaucracy that was Vichy. Occasionally, the director provides a little voiceover clarification but basically the propagandistic era reveals itself to viewers slowly. Overall, there is some absolutely outstanding stuff here and it is valuable primary source material. I just read a biography of Petain but I have to say I never realized how depressed and despondent his speeches were from that the era. It is funny to see what sort of thing passed for political inspiration back in those days because Petain basically spent most of his time putting down his fellow citizens in these clips.

DVD Review: Wonderful Documentary
Summary: 5 Stars

This is the kind of documentary I like... it lets you see the people of the time and hear in their own words their motivations and justifications. There are so few books and movies on the Vichy regime that this one stands out even more.

DVD Review: Vichy France - Nationalist Socialist wanna be
Summary: 4 Stars

This film is a collection of short clips (taken from newsreels, propaganda films, and mainstream movies) made by/for/about the Vichy government from 1940 until the liberation of Paris in 1944. This is a modern (1993) attempt to paint a picture of the Vichy government that they may have painted of themselves. I found this to be a fascinating window into how the Vichy government viewed themselves. The style of the film is, in many ways, similar to `Triumph of the Will'. There are fiery speechs about duty, honor, hard work, basic/traditional values, sacrifice, etc. There is clearly some effort to create a personality cult around Petain as well. An effort was apparently made to place Petain above petty political machinations of individual parties (i.e. he was above partisan politics and only represents France's interests). Complex issues of the day are framed very simply, with an `us-versus-them' dogma. Many of the clips are blatant racist, anti-Semitic propaganda (i.e. during discussion of the `Jewish Question' there is video of rats coming out of a sewer). There is also a great emphasis on the energy of the youth, how they will be the saviors of the future. One thing I found particularly interesting about this film was the repeated line of argument taken by Petain and the other Vichy functionnaires that France will suffer less pain by siding with Germany than against, so France should work with them. Finally, I found it interesting how, as the war progressed, the justifications of the Vichy regime to support Germany became progressively more ridiculous.

The place in history for the Vichy regime is still a hotly disputed subject several generations after the war. This film certainly does not explore many of the moral ambiguities of the Vichy era, it paints the Vichyites simply as Nazis. I give it four stars simply because it is a propaganda film and there is only so much to be learned from this type of film. I am not an expert on the Vichy era, but this film left me with more questions than answers (perhaps this was the point of the film?). The film itself is fast paced and the various clips are seamless woven together. There is some English commentary, but most of the discussion is French with English subtitles. Overall, a good inside into Vichy France and highly recommended for anyone interested in WWII or French History in general. Finally, if you are looking for a good (French) film that actually explores some of the complexities of the occupation check out the film `Uranus'.

DVD Review: Insight into fascist politics.
Summary: 5 Stars

Anyone interested in the history and development of fascist and national socialism should watch this film. It presents various aspects of the fascist ideology on class, culture, "nation," and of course shows the prevasive anti-Semitism, anti-Bolshevism and racism of fascism.
The Vichy fascists used anti-communism and anti-Semitism to play upon the fears of its middle class supporters in order to consolidate its position. It viewed its nation-selling to the Germans as a "holy war" against Jews, America and communism.
Also presented in this film is the politics of the radical right-wing fascist politician Jacques Doriot, the role of the French LVF "volunteers" in the axis front lines against the Red Army, and the campaigns encouraging youth to "volunteer" to work in the Nazis munitions factories. The patriotic partisans are portrayed as traitorous "terrorists" against the conservative Vichy government.

Description of The Eye of Vichy

French New Wave founder Claude Chabrol (Merci Pour Le Chocolat, La C?r?monie) creates a masterful look at the Nazis' media manipulation, which is as engrossing as any of his thrillers. Chabrol assembles a brilliant compilation of long forgotten film footage and newsreels produced by the Nazis and French collaborators during World War Two.

Written by Jean-Pierre Azema and Robert Paxton and narrated by Joe Cox (Manhunter; The Ring), The Eye of Vichy focuses on the small town of the same name in central France where Field Marshall Petain's puppet government worked with their Nazi overlords to create pro-Nazi propaganda. Seeking to turn the tide of public emotion against both the Allied Forces and the Jews, these collaborators skillfully produced a strange alternative history of the war years that is both shocking and grimly fascinating.

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