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Charlotte Gray (film)
Encyclopedia
Charlotte Gray is a 2001 British-Australian-German feature film
directed by Gillian Armstrong
, based on the novel of the same name
by Sebastian Faulks
. It is set in Vichy France
, during World War II
and stars Cate Blanchett
, Billy Crudup
, Michael Gambon
and Rupert Penry-Jones
.
The story is based on the exploits of SOE's
female agents that worked with the French resistance
within occupied France (Charlotte Gray is a composite of operatives such as Pearl Cornioley, Nancy Wake
, Odette Sansom
and Violette Szabo
).
, Charlotte Gray, travels to London
to take a job as a medical receptionist for a Harley Street
doctor. On the train she talks to a man who enters her compartment, where he "interviews" her and gives her his card with the date, time and address of a book launch on the back. Despite the war, social life in London is in full swing and her friends convince her to go. While there she soon meets Flight Lieutenant
Peter Gregory, but is interrupted by the man from the train, who urges her to meet some people.
The temporary nature of life at the time is epitomized when she quickly loses her heart to Peter. They speak on the nature of war and bravery, Charlotte tells him she thinks she is being asked to try out for some secret organization, Peter tells her not to get involved in the war. Peter tells her his leave is over and he is to take part in operations over France for the next few weeks.
Charlotte joins the SOE and is seconded to FANY
with the rank of Driver. She completes her initial training and is on leave when news comes back to Charlotte that Gregory's plane has gone down and he is missing in action
.
Charlotte spent much of her childhood in France and speaks the language fluently, which got her noticed by the SOE. She signs up for operations in France and is dropped in with two other men. Her mission is to complete a test run; a handover of some radio valves.
Eventually her cover becomes dangerously close to being blown, so she settles down as housekeeper to an aging and no longer inspired painter, Levade, the father of her main resistance contact, Julien. She also helps to conceal two Jewish children, André and Jacob, after their parents are arrested and deported, and as the year progresses we learn about the steadily growing oppression of the Jews in France with complicity by the Vichy French government. Levade is interviewed about his Jewish ancestry, and when he stays silent, Julien admits the Jewish ancestry of both his father and himself in order to save the two little boys. Levade is then packed off to the prison camp/transfer station, but Julien is not taken, as he is not Jewish enough, but his father is, according to the law. Following betrayal by the duplicitous schoolmaster Renech, the two boys are taken anyway. Charlotte writes a letter to them and signs it from their mother, knowing how much they miss her. She runs to pass it through a hole in the wall of the train cargo box they share with Julien's father and many others, all saying goodbye to loved ones running along with the train. At the end of the war, she is reunited with, now-Squadron Leader
Peter Gregory, but she explains that she has grieved for him since she was told that he had died.
At the end of the film, Charlotte returns to France and to Julien.
Though the film leaves the fate of Julien's father and the two little boys up to the viewer to piece together, the book makes it clear that all three died in the concentration camp.
, in the French department of Tarn-et-Garonne
, as well as in England, Scotland and at Pinewood Studios
.
The film was not commercially successful for FilmFour. Its financial failure led to a subsequent restructuring and reduction at the production company.
4,188,497 at the box office in Australia, USD 1,886,566 in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and only USD 741,394 in the United States, where it had a very limited release (widest release was 52 cinemas).
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
directed by Gillian Armstrong
Gillian Armstrong
Gillian May Armstrong is an award-winning Australian director of feature films and documentaries.- Career :Born in Melbourne, Victoria, Gillian Armstrong grew up in the eastern suburb of Mitcham. She graduated from Swinburne Technical College in 1968 where she studied theatrical costume design and...
, based on the novel of the same name
Charlotte Gray (novel)
Charlotte Gray is a 1999 book by Sebastian Faulks and completes his loose trilogy of books about France with an account of the adventures of a young Scotswoman who becomes involved with the French resistance during the Second World War. It is set in Vichy France during World War II...
by Sebastian Faulks
Sebastian Faulks
-Early life:Faulks was born on 20 April 1953 in Donnington, Berkshire to Peter Faulks and Pamela . Edward Faulks, Baron Faulks, is his older brother. He was educated at Elstree School, Reading and went on to Wellington College, Berkshire...
. It is set in Vichy France
Vichy France
Vichy France, Vichy Regime, or Vichy Government, are common terms used to describe the government of France that collaborated with the Axis powers from July 1940 to August 1944. This government succeeded the Third Republic and preceded the Provisional Government of the French Republic...
, during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and stars Cate Blanchett
Cate Blanchett
Catherine Élise "Cate" Blanchett is an Australian actress. She came to international attention for her role as Elizabeth I of England in the 1998 biopic film Elizabeth, for which she won British Academy of Film and Television Arts and Golden Globe Awards, and earned her first Academy Award...
, Billy Crudup
Billy Crudup
William Gaither "Billy" Crudup is an American actor of film and stage. He is well known for his roles as guitarist Russell Hammond in Almost Famous, Will Bloom in Big Fish, and Ashitaka in Princess Mononoke. He also starred in the 2007 romantic comedy film Dedication, alongside Mandy Moore...
, Michael Gambon
Michael Gambon
Sir Michael John Gambon, CBE is an Irish actor who has worked in theatre, television and film. A highly respected theatre actor, Gambon is recognised for his roles as Philip Marlowe in the BBC television serial The Singing Detective, as Jules Maigret in the 1990s ITV serial Maigret, and as...
and Rupert Penry-Jones
Rupert Penry-Jones
Rupert William Penry-Jones is an English actor, best known for his role as Adam Carter in the British television series Spooks, also broadcast under the title MI-5.-Family life:Penry-Jones was born in London on September 22, 1970...
.
The story is based on the exploits of SOE's
Special Operations Executive
The Special Operations Executive was a World War II organisation of the United Kingdom. It was officially formed by Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Minister of Economic Warfare Hugh Dalton on 22 July 1940, to conduct guerrilla warfare against the Axis powers and to instruct and aid local...
female agents that worked with the French resistance
French Resistance
The French Resistance is the name used to denote the collection of French resistance movements that fought against the Nazi German occupation of France and against the collaborationist Vichy régime during World War II...
within occupied France (Charlotte Gray is a composite of operatives such as Pearl Cornioley, Nancy Wake
Nancy Wake
Nancy Grace Augusta Wake, AC, GM , served as a British agent during the later part of World War II. She became a leading figure in the maquis groups of the French Resistance and was one of the Allies' most decorated servicewomen of the war.-Early life:Born in Roseneath, Wellington, New Zealand in...
, Odette Sansom
Odette Sansom
Odette Sansom Hallowes GC, MBE, Chevalier de la légion d'honneur was an Allied heroine of the Second World War.-Early years:...
and Violette Szabo
Violette Szabo
Violette Reine Elizabeth Bushell Szabo, GC, was a Second World War French-British secret agent.-Early life and marriage:...
).
Plot
In 1942, a young ScotScottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
, Charlotte Gray, travels to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to take a job as a medical receptionist for a Harley Street
Harley Street
Harley Street is a street in the City of Westminster in London, England which has been noted since the 19th century for its large number of private specialists in medicine and surgery.- Overview :...
doctor. On the train she talks to a man who enters her compartment, where he "interviews" her and gives her his card with the date, time and address of a book launch on the back. Despite the war, social life in London is in full swing and her friends convince her to go. While there she soon meets Flight Lieutenant
Flight Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...
Peter Gregory, but is interrupted by the man from the train, who urges her to meet some people.
The temporary nature of life at the time is epitomized when she quickly loses her heart to Peter. They speak on the nature of war and bravery, Charlotte tells him she thinks she is being asked to try out for some secret organization, Peter tells her not to get involved in the war. Peter tells her his leave is over and he is to take part in operations over France for the next few weeks.
Charlotte joins the SOE and is seconded to FANY
First Aid Nursing Yeomanry
The First Aid Nursing Yeomanry is a British independent all-female unit and registered charity affiliated to, but not part of, the Territorial Army, formed in 1907 and active in both nursing and intelligence work during the World Wars.-Formation:It was formed as the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry in...
with the rank of Driver. She completes her initial training and is on leave when news comes back to Charlotte that Gregory's plane has gone down and he is missing in action
Missing in action
Missing in action is a casualty Category assigned under the Status of Missing to armed services personnel who are reported missing during active service. They may have been killed, wounded, become a prisoner of war, or deserted. If deceased, neither their remains nor grave can be positively...
.
Charlotte spent much of her childhood in France and speaks the language fluently, which got her noticed by the SOE. She signs up for operations in France and is dropped in with two other men. Her mission is to complete a test run; a handover of some radio valves.
Eventually her cover becomes dangerously close to being blown, so she settles down as housekeeper to an aging and no longer inspired painter, Levade, the father of her main resistance contact, Julien. She also helps to conceal two Jewish children, André and Jacob, after their parents are arrested and deported, and as the year progresses we learn about the steadily growing oppression of the Jews in France with complicity by the Vichy French government. Levade is interviewed about his Jewish ancestry, and when he stays silent, Julien admits the Jewish ancestry of both his father and himself in order to save the two little boys. Levade is then packed off to the prison camp/transfer station, but Julien is not taken, as he is not Jewish enough, but his father is, according to the law. Following betrayal by the duplicitous schoolmaster Renech, the two boys are taken anyway. Charlotte writes a letter to them and signs it from their mother, knowing how much they miss her. She runs to pass it through a hole in the wall of the train cargo box they share with Julien's father and many others, all saying goodbye to loved ones running along with the train. At the end of the war, she is reunited with, now-Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
Peter Gregory, but she explains that she has grieved for him since she was told that he had died.
At the end of the film, Charlotte returns to France and to Julien.
Though the film leaves the fate of Julien's father and the two little boys up to the viewer to piece together, the book makes it clear that all three died in the concentration camp.
Cast
- Cate BlanchettCate BlanchettCatherine Élise "Cate" Blanchett is an Australian actress. She came to international attention for her role as Elizabeth I of England in the 1998 biopic film Elizabeth, for which she won British Academy of Film and Television Arts and Golden Globe Awards, and earned her first Academy Award...
as Charlotte Gray - James FleetJames FleetJames Edward Fleet is an English actor. He is most famous for his roles as the bumbling and well-meaning Tom in the 1994 British romantic comedy film Four Weddings and a Funeral, and the dim-witted Hugo Horton in the BBC situation comedy television series The Vicar of Dibley.-Personal life:Fleet...
as Richard Cannerley - Abigail CruttendenAbigail CruttendenAbigail Cruttenden is an English actress.Cruttenden played opposite Sean Bean as his character's onscreen wife Jane in several episodes of Sharpe. The couple wed in real life in 1997 and had a daughter, Evie. Three months later they started divorce proceedings, and divorced in 2000. In 2003,...
as Daisy - Rupert Penry-JonesRupert Penry-JonesRupert William Penry-Jones is an English actor, best known for his role as Adam Carter in the British television series Spooks, also broadcast under the title MI-5.-Family life:Penry-Jones was born in London on September 22, 1970...
as Peter Gregory - Billy CrudupBilly CrudupWilliam Gaither "Billy" Crudup is an American actor of film and stage. He is well known for his roles as guitarist Russell Hammond in Almost Famous, Will Bloom in Big Fish, and Ashitaka in Princess Mononoke. He also starred in the 2007 romantic comedy film Dedication, alongside Mandy Moore...
as Julien Levade - Michael GambonMichael GambonSir Michael John Gambon, CBE is an Irish actor who has worked in theatre, television and film. A highly respected theatre actor, Gambon is recognised for his roles as Philip Marlowe in the BBC television serial The Singing Detective, as Jules Maigret in the 1990s ITV serial Maigret, and as...
as Levade - Anton LesserAnton LesserAnton Lesser is a British actor. He attended Moseley Grammar School and the University of Liverpool before going to RADA in 1977 where he was awarded the Bancroft Gold Medal as the most promising actor of his year....
as Renech
Production notes
Exteriors were filmed on location at Saint-Antonin-Noble-ValSaint-Antonin-Noble-Val
Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val is a commune in the Tarn-et-Garonne department in the Midi-Pyrénées region in southern France.-History:...
, in the French department of Tarn-et-Garonne
Tarn-et-Garonne
Tarn-et-Garonne is a French department in the southwest of France. It is traversed by the Rivers Tarn and Garonne, from which it takes its name.-History:...
, as well as in England, Scotland and at Pinewood Studios
Pinewood Studios
Pinewood Studios is a major British film studio situated in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, approximately west of central London. The studios have played host to many productions over the years from huge blockbuster films to television shows to commercials to pop promos.The purchase of Shepperton...
.
The film was not commercially successful for FilmFour. Its financial failure led to a subsequent restructuring and reduction at the production company.
Box Office
Charlotte Gray grossed AUDAud
Aud might refer to*Australian dollar *Ambedkar University, Delhi *American University in Dubai *Doctor of Audiology *Auðr, the son of Nótt and Naglfari in Norse mythology...
4,188,497 at the box office in Australia, USD 1,886,566 in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and only USD 741,394 in the United States, where it had a very limited release (widest release was 52 cinemas).
External links
- Official site
- http://www.saintantoninnobleval.com