On this day in movie history – Army of Shadows (1969 movie & novel):

Army of Shadows

a.k.a. L'armée des ombres,

directed and written by Jean-Pierre Melville,

based on the novel by Joseph Kessel,

released in France on September 12, 1969.

Music by Éric Demarsan.

Cast: Lino Ventura, Paul Meurisse, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Simone Signoret, Claude Mann, Paul Crauchet, Christian Barbier, Serge Reggiani, André Dewavrin, Alain Dekok, Alain Mottet, Alain Libolt, Jean-Marie Robain, Albert Michel, Denis Sadier, Georges Sellier, Marco Perrin, Hubert de Lapparent, Colin Mann, Anthony Stuart, Michel Fretault, Gérard-Antoine Huart, Percival Russel, Michel Dacquin, Jeanne Pérez, Pierre Vaudier, Jacques Marbeuf, Franz Sauer, Marcel Bernier, Gaston Meunier, Françoise Bonnot, Adrien Cayla-Legrand, Nathalie Delon, Jacques Léonard.

Recommended reading:

Army of Shadows

By Joseph Kessel.

Translated by Haakon Chevalier.

Published by Contra Mundum Press.

First published 1943.

ISBN-10: 194062522X

ISBN-13: 9781940625225

Description:

THIS IS THE TRUTH, THOUGH THE FORM IS FICTION…

The terrible and inspiring truth about the French underground, the way it's men and women operate, fight, die, a story full of nobility, heroism, and brutal violence. First published in its English translation in 1944, this is the fictionalized account of French writer Joseph Kessel's own experiences as a member of the French Resistance in World War II.

Born on this day – Joseph Kessel:

Joseph Kessel

Writer

Veteran of World War I & II

February 10, 1898 – July 12, 1973

Credits:

Awarded the Legion of Honour.

Books:

Army of Shadows (1944); Belle De Jour (1928); Blinded Kings (1926); Crossroads (1932); Cry of Violence (1951); Kisling (1971); Mogok, the Valley of Rubies (1960); Princes of the Night (1928); Sirocco (1947); Slave Markets (1930); The Bernan Affair (1965); The Enemy in the Mouth (1935); The Horseman (1967); The Israel I Love (1977); The Lion (1959); The Magic Touch / aka The Man With the Marvelous Hands (1961); The Man with Miraculous Hands (1961); The Medici Fountain (1963); The Road Back (1962); The Valley of Rubies (1961); They Weren't All Angels (1965); Trial and Terror (1973).

Movies and television:

A Wall in Jerusalem (1968); Ab Mitternacht (1938); Act of Love (1953); All About Yves Montand (2021); An Intimate History (2011); Apocalypse: The Second World War (2009); Army of Shadows (1969); Au Bon Beurre (1981); Au grand balcon (1949); Belle de Jour (1967 / 2000); Bibi Canta Piaf (2004); Cessez le feu (1934); Chantons sous l'occupation (1976); Cinéma 16 (1989); Dieu a choisi Paris (1969); En votre âme et conscience (1958); Flight Into Darkness (1935); Forbidden Love (1940); Fortune carrée (1955); France, song (1969); Infrarouge (2011); Italiques (1971–1972); Ivo Livi, dit Yves Montand (2011); Jean Moulin (2002); Joséphine Baker, le Musical (2023); Kessel: A Lion (2019); Kupa Kizi (1986); Kuroi doresu no onna (1985); La mort n'oublie personne (2008); La passe du diable (1958); La peur (1936); La règle de l'homme (1994); La solitude du chanteur de fond (1974); L'art et les hommes (1960); Le 16 à Kerbriant (1972); Le concert de la paix (2025); Le grand cirque (1949); Le lion (2003); Lectures pour tous (1960–1966); L'équipage (1928); Les amants du tage (1955); Les amants du Tage (1992); Les bateliers de la Volga (1936); Les heures chaudes de Montparnasse (1963); Les Nuits de France Culture (2018); Les secrets de la Mer Rouge (1937); L'invité du dimanche (1971); L'Occupation sans relâche - Les artistes pendant la guerre (2010); L'or du Rhône (1950); Mayerling (1936 / 1968); Monsieur Montand (1997); Nuits de princes (1929 / 1938); Oasis (1955); Paris express (1928); Paris: The Luminous Years (2010); Pariser Journal (1964); Pensando Sin Cansarme (2024); Projection privée (1987); Régie 4 (1968–1969); Rencontres de septembre (1961); RetroNews BnF / Podcast (2025); Salut, Jerusalem (1972); Sikkim, terre secrete (1956); Sirocco (1951); Stormy Summer (1989); The Horsemen (1971); The Lion (1962); The Night of the Generals (1967); The Passerby (1982); The Woman I Love (1937); They Are Not Angels (1947); Traître ou patriote (2000); Ukikusa nikki (1955); Voyage en Afghanistan, 1ère partie: Le desert (1967); Voyage en Afghanistan, 2ème partie: La Montagne (1967); Wilson chante Montand (2017); Wish Me Luck (1989).