J'accuse !

Victor Francen (Jean) is the main character that we follow from fighting in the trenches in WW1 to the eve of WW2. We first come across him as a typical French lover who is sleeping with someone else's wife. In this case it is the wife of fellow soldier Marcel Delaître (François) and the lady in question is Line Noro (Edith), with whom Marcel also has a daughter. These 2 men confront each other on the battlefield and agree a friendship of sorts as they are forced together in battle. They then go on a doomed patrol from which no-one ever returns. Well, there is one survivor in this case. The film then follows Francen's determination to end all wars culminating in the rising of the dead soldiers to prevent a repeat of WW1.

History shows us that this isn't the way things went but it is a nice idea as we are suddenly thrust into a zombie movie at the end. Another notably French trait is exhibited when Francen calls out to the dead nationalities - American, German, Italian, etc - with one notable absence. Yes, you've guessed it. No mention of the British. The French really have a chip on their shoulder. Francen speaks in various foreign languages but calls out to the Americans not the British when he utters his English dialogue. Ha ha. Overall, the film is a bit depressing. Sacre Bleu! But the spooky bits are good.

This film is a masterpiece with extreme social relevance for the human race. Try to rent it if you can find it. It is still relevant even almost 70 years after it was made. It may be hard to find but it is worth it. Enjoy!!!

Not strictly a remake of Abel Gance's silent classic because that comprised only the first half of this version which is plainly the work of a sadder, wiser man and continues well past the Armistice to deal with the trauma of those who survived.

Gance shows a command of sound and dialogue well beyond his more celebrated silents, and if like all Gances it goes on too long, it makes up in visual punch what it lacks in brevity.

Abel Gance, undoubtedly one of the greatest film-makers ever, made this extraordinary film as he saw Europe rushing toward World War 2. It is a remake of a film he made when he was in the trenches of World War 1. At its core is the magnificent performance of Victor Francen as the only survivor of a World War 1 patrol who is determined to prevent war ever happening again. With photography and amazing mis en scene, Gance evokes the waste of war and the terrible effect it has on its survivors. The climax involves Francen conjuring the dead of World War 1 to stop World War 2. This is stunningly shot and extremely powerful.

The only faults this film has is the over reliance on stock footage (I assume because of budgetary problems), and a romantic sub-plot that doesn't quite work. But this is a true work of art - highly political and visionary, and fascinating historically. What a shame humanity didn't listen in 1938!

J' Accuse! is one of those imperfect films that have so many captivating and remarkable scenes as to burn them into memory forever. From the first 45 minutes concentrating on the battleground of the first World War that rivals All Quiet On The Western Front to the final half hour of surrealist horror/fantasy that evokes the groundwork for such films as Night of the Living Dead there is much to love about this work.

The editing and use of actual stock war footage actually brings the viewer a historical grounding for the social and moral stance the film takes. The special effects are in grand display for a film of the 1930s and eerily successful during the climax which is one of the truly great accomplishments in cinematic history.

The only drawbacks for the film is depending on your version/copy you may have re-edited scenes which create an odd linear flow to the film and which are also quite obviously placed. Also, the middle of the film does get bogged down in a romantic sub plot that does not seriously work and all too often finds the actors suffering from melodrama.

However, the historical significance of this film's anti-war message should not be detracted from the horrific circumstances surrounding WW II. The film's message actually centers on the scientific advances of the well played lead, Victor Francen, who allows his country (in this case France) the perception of a military advantage to consider war as beneficial. You can easily see this film speaking to the scientific community in any country of the time - especially Germany. Politics aside, the message is clear and as haunting as any you may find in the annals of cinema.