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The story starts in November 1941 in Nazi occupied France. A pretty, young and orphaned girl (late teens to early 20s) lives with her paternal grandfather, her only relative, in a comfortable villa. Proud but reserved, she gives piano lessons with unusual zeal and passion. One day, her house is invaded by the occupying Germans, and her parents' suite becomes the home of the local German Commander.

However, this Nazi is a refined Francofile, a classical pianist and composer. He's also extremely handsome, and tries to make this embarrassing situation as acceptable as possible.

This film is a remake of one of the best movies made in post World War II Europe, with a few adaptations to the original script, based on the novel 'LE SILENCE DE LA MER', published underground around February of 1942.

With a French actor speaking slightly (but not caricature) German accented French, the German lieutenant character is quite believable. His Aryan looks certainly confirms his "authenticity" as the cultured (French-like) though disciplined (German-like) Nazi; an enemy a refined girl could possibly fall in love with.

The original novel was practically a sacred book in France during the 1942-45 period, and a powerful symbol of the French Resistance. The 1947 film, due to budget and mainly personal and political problems, was, in hindsight, not as believable and well filmed as this new version. That said, the 1947 will probably always remain the definite version.

But, nevertheless, this new made for TV movie is well worth seeing for its timeless anti-war, pro-humanity themes. The gorgeous cinematography, and excellent performances by perfectly casted actors make it a pleasant experience for the eyes and the mind, regardless of all else, including the inevitable comparisons to the 1947 film and the novel. It is now playing on the cable TV "Eurochannel" transmitted by Satellite and "DirecTV" in the Americas, and should not be missed!

'I like the sea because of its tranquility', 'I am very happy to meet a dignified old man and a silent girl here'. For the German officer, silence is the highest appreciation. All the emotions flow violently in silence and restraint, so beautiful to watch.

"Le silence de la mer" is based on the book de Vercors , a French writer and member of the French Résistance that tells an impossible love story between a young French piano teacher and an German officer of the Wehrmacht. It's really a great and touching story: she plays German classic music . He is fully francofile and tries to have a conversation, but the only answer is always silence !! The performance of Thomas Jouannet, Julie Delarme and Michel Galabru are extraordinary.

What a truly wonderful film. I have never seen the original but if it is better than this version it must be very,very good. I enjoyed the performances of the three main characters immensely and have watched the film time and time again. The strange thing is that I a don't actually speak French yet have been moved by the storyline and acting to want to watch it over and over again. I think I'm right in saying that this film hasn't been shown in England but with the addition of subtitles there is no reason it shouldn't. Channel Four Television recently had a 100 best war film programme that included many great films of that genre. In my opinion this is right up there with the best of them. Thanks to Pierre Boutron(Director) and stars Thomas Jouannet, Julie Delarme and Michel Galabru for a film that is simply a treasure.

This is one of the most touching romance films I have seen.

To me, this is a typical french movie (for TV in this case), which only shows you the normal life, nothing glamour or adventurous. Even during wartime, people lived their lives as usual, although someone got arrested, someone escaped, someone starved, but it is still the everyday life. Either the french piano teacher or the German captain, they went to work, they got food. Love grows without external excitement, between two human beings who are supposed to be enemies. Some of my friends found their love baseless, since the protagonists rarely talk to each other. Yet, I find that the love cannot be more natural. For young people, beautiful and youthful faces, strong and graceful gestures, poetic words and loving eye contacts, these are more than what love needs.

The movie is also very erotic in some ways without nudity, hugs, kisses etc . The actors are very good at talking with their eyes. This movie is such a delight. I have watched too many movies to be easily moved, and I am so glad I found this one. Also because of the background of the plot, the conversations are quite simple, and easy to understand even when you know only a little french.

Sentimental crap,watch the Jean Pierre Melville version of it made in 1949. The original has many philosophical themes which this version casually leaves out.

Not your average Nazi bad guy here. The approach is totally different. Few films have moved me as much as this one. With a lump on my throat for the last 30 minutes. Despite the title, (classical) music plays a key role in this made for TV masterpiece. Emotional rollercoaster. A must see. (2 thumbs up).

I came across this film on youtube; it's one of the most powerful WW2/romance movie I've ever seen. Very sensational. I couldn't help watching it over and over again. The performance for the actors were great; I never knew how movies can deliver message and stories like this.

This is coming from a lover of horror movies. Don't like sappy romances but I happened across this movie last night and while it was in French (no parle vous) I totally got the gist of the movie. I watched the entire film, beginning to end and LOVED it!!! If you can get past the subtitles or lack there of you'll feel the same. Great but sad ending as usual.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND

This is one of most touching romance movie I've ever seen. Without a single line, the hidden love between the German Commander and the French girl was told through their eyes.

I regret to admit that I know very little about Director Pierre Boutron, having only seen one of his works before - LES ANNÉES SANDWICHES, which I so enjoyed that I eagerly pounced on the opportunity to watch this 2004 effort, a reprise of the debut of one of my all-time favorite French directors: Jean-Pierre Melville.

I am no fan of remakes, so I approached Boutron's film with some misgiving and uncertainty, promising myself that I would stop the moment I found it clearly the inferior of the famous original.

I am happy to say that I did not. In fact, I found it an improvement on the Melville effort. It flows better and acting is definitely more polished. Julie Delarme, who was 26 at the time but plays a young woman in her late teens, carries a great deal of feeling, conveyed mainly through glances, silences, and repressed emotions. Galabru also deserves plaudits, although his is a much smaller and less demanding part. Thomas Jouannet, portraying Werner, the respectful, well-mannered, music- and art-loving German officer who occupies one of the rooms in the house owned by Galabru, emerges as a honest, civilized figure as France sinks deeper and deeper under the grip of German occupation. Unlike Vernon Howard in the 1949 original, he does not try to atone for his fatherland's faults, he does not wander through the streets of Paris admiring the architecture and what it expresses about the French "soul" that Germany purportedly sought to eradicate through occupation and brainwashing. Jouannet sensitively tunes in to the human beings whose house he occupies against his own will. Marie Bunel also delivers a fine performance as the woman who places geraniums on her window sill when she receives Resistance fighters.

Effective, simple, well done cinematography by Alain Levent. Great script by Anne Giaferi, keeping dialogue to short sentences. Through looks, tears, and silence, Boutron fills in the viewer on emotions and deeper states of mind.

Definitely worth more than one viewing. 9/10.

This is the most silent love story I have ever seen. Their mean of communication. The love doesn't need any words at all. All the unspoken emotions and feelings... Excellent.

A story about a young French girl Jeanne who lives with her grandfather in occupied France. A Wehrmacht captain, Werner von Ebrennac, stays in the house inhabited by them. They decide to resist the occupier by never speaking a word to him.

Sizzling chemistry. Fragile. Sometimes it was a torture to watch.

I loved Werner's monologs. All the things he shared with them. How they acted...

The fans of Suite Française will love this!