Lacombe, Lucien
1974 · Movie · 138 min · ★ 7.0 · 95% critics
In rural France during World War II, a restless young man tries to join the Resistance but is turned away for being too young. He then drifts into working with the German occupiers, gaining power and confidence, while a growing attachment to a Jewish family complicates his life and choices.
Where to watch
Streaming on Kanopy and The Criterion Channel.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Original title
- Lacombe Lucien
- Years
- 1974
- Release date
- 1974-01-30
- Language
- French
- Runtime
- 138 min
- Critic score
- 95/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.0/10 (165 votes)
About
You may like this if you want a serious wartime character study about youth, power, and loyalty; not for you if you prefer hopeful stories or clear-cut heroes, and it may appeal to fans of Army of Shadows.
Pros: tense moral drama; strong lead performance; vivid period atmosphere | Cons: slow pace; bleak tone; emotionally distant protagonist
Themes
- war crimes
- french gestapo
- maquis
- children in wartime
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best International Feature Film · 1975 · nominated
- International Submission to the Academy Awards · 1975 · nominated
Cast & crew
Pierre Blaise
as Lucien Lacombe
Aurore Clément
as France Horn
Holger Löwenadler
as Albert Horn
Therese Giehse
as La Grand-mère
Stéphane Bouy
as Jean-Bernard
Loumi Iacobesco
as Betty Beaulieu
René Bouloc
as Faure
Jean Rougerie
as Tonin
Pierre Decazes
as Aubert
Jacqueline Staup
as Melle Chauvelot
Directed by Louis Malle