The Story of a Three-Day Pass
Encyclopedia
The Story of a Three-Day Pass (French title La Permission) is a black-and-white film written and directed, often in a Nouvelle Vague style, by Melvin Van Peebles
, based on a novel he wrote in French, La Permission
. Although made in 1967, the film was not released in the U.S. until July 8, 1968. Van Peebles also collaborated on the score with Mickey Baker
and sings one of the two songs written for the film, "When My Number Gonna Hit". The other song, "Hard Times", is a man-woman duet; one of the singers is Mickey Baker.
Although much of the dialogue is in French, the film is not subtitled. It tells the story of Turner (Harry Baird
), a Black U.S. army man stationed in France whose captain gives him a three-day pass just after he promotes him. As Turner gets ready to leave, his reflection in the mirror accuses him of being an Uncle Tom
, but this is not the only time his reflection criticizes him or makes him doubt himself.
Turner goes to Paris
, where he wanders mostly aimlessly for the first day. He finds himself in a nightclub
, where he meets a white French shop clerk named Miriam (Nicole Berger
). The pair spends the rest of the weekend together, enjoying their romance but also struggling with the complexities of racism
. Eventually their miscegenation
is reported to Turner's captain (Hal Brav) and Turner is restricted to barracks, where he decides that such amorous adventures are futile.
The movie is currently distributed through Xenon Pictures
.
Melvin Van Peebles
Melvin "Block" Van Peebles is an American actor, director, screenwriter, playwright, novelist and composer.He is most famous for creating the acclaimed film, Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song, which heralded a new era of African American focused films...
, based on a novel he wrote in French, La Permission
La Permission
La Permission is a 1967 French language novel written by Melvin Van Peebles which was turned into the film, The Story of a Three-Day Pass.-History:By the late 1950s, Van Peebles had been involved filmmaking and had made two short films...
. Although made in 1967, the film was not released in the U.S. until July 8, 1968. Van Peebles also collaborated on the score with Mickey Baker
Mickey Baker
Mickey Baker, also known as Mickey "Guitar" Baker is an American guitarist...
and sings one of the two songs written for the film, "When My Number Gonna Hit". The other song, "Hard Times", is a man-woman duet; one of the singers is Mickey Baker.
Although much of the dialogue is in French, the film is not subtitled. It tells the story of Turner (Harry Baird
Harry Baird (actor)
Harry Baird was a Guyana-born British actor who came to prominence in the 1960s.Baird was born in Georgetown, British Guiana and was educated in Canada and England. He was given his film break in 1954 as a boxer named Jamaica in the Carol Reed film A Kid for Two Farthings...
), a Black U.S. army man stationed in France whose captain gives him a three-day pass just after he promotes him. As Turner gets ready to leave, his reflection in the mirror accuses him of being an Uncle Tom
Uncle Tom
Uncle Tom is a derogatory term for a person who perceives themselves to be of low status, and is excessively subservient to perceived authority figures; particularly a black person who behaves in a subservient manner to white people....
, but this is not the only time his reflection criticizes him or makes him doubt himself.
Turner goes to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, where he wanders mostly aimlessly for the first day. He finds himself in a nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
, where he meets a white French shop clerk named Miriam (Nicole Berger
Nicole Berger
Nicole Berger was a French actress.-Biography:Berger was born in Paris. She had a brief theatrical career, particularly in the Compagnie Barrault-Renaud, before starting to film. Claude Autant-Lara gave her her first real chance in 1954, giving her one of the three leading roles in Le Blé en Herbe...
). The pair spends the rest of the weekend together, enjoying their romance but also struggling with the complexities of racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
. Eventually their miscegenation
Miscegenation
Miscegenation is the mixing of different racial groups through marriage, cohabitation, sexual relations, and procreation....
is reported to Turner's captain (Hal Brav) and Turner is restricted to barracks, where he decides that such amorous adventures are futile.
The movie is currently distributed through Xenon Pictures
Xenon Pictures
Xenon Pictures is an American film production and distribution company founded by S. Leigh Savidge in 1986.- Company information :Founded in 1986 with $17,000 in startup capital, Xenon is recognized in the industry for developing the nation’s first label for independent black cinema...
.