Cordial Agreement (1939)
A sweeping French historical drama tracing the diplomatic road from the Fashoda crisis to the landmark Entente Cordiale, crafted with one eye firmly on the gathering storm of World War II.
Cordial Agreement - Movie Information
- Original Title: Entente cordiale
- Release Year: 1939
- Directed by: Marcel L'Herbier
- Type: Movie
- Genres: History, Drama
- Runtime: 1h 50m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: French
- Release Date (Theatrical): April 20, 1939 (France), December 25, 1939 (United States)
- Production Companies: Arcadia Films, Flora Films
- Production Countries: France
Cordial Agreement - Plot
The film depicts events between the Fashoda crisis in 1898 and the 1904 signing of the Entente Cordiale creating an alliance between Britain and France and ending their historic rivalry. It was based on the book King Edward VII and His Times by André Maurois. It was made with an eye to its propaganda value, following the Munich Agreement of September 1938 and in anticipation of the outbreak of a Second World War which would test the bonds between Britain and France in a conflict with Nazi Germany.
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Cordial Agreement - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Marcel L'Herbier
Main Cast
- Victor Francen
- Bernard Lancret
- Pierre Richard-Willm
- Janine Darcey
- Gaby Morlay
- Jean Périer
- Jacques Baumer
- Louis Seigner
- André Lefaur
- Arlette Marchal
Writers
- André Maurois
Producers
- Max Glass
- Bernard Natan
Cordial Agreement - FAQs
What is Cordial Agreement about?
Cordial Agreement follows the turbulent diplomatic journey between Britain and France, spanning the Fashoda crisis of 1898 through to the landmark 1904 Entente Cordiale. Blending fictional characters with real historical figures like King Edward VII and Queen Victoria, the film explores how two rival nations forged a lasting alliance on the eve of global conflict.
Was Cordial Agreement made as wartime propaganda?
Very much so. The film was produced in the shadow of the 1938 Munich Agreement, with filmmakers keenly aware that a second world war was looming. By celebrating the Anglo-French alliance, it served as a timely reminder of the bonds between the two nations and a call to stand united against Nazi Germany.
Where can you watch Cordial Agreement online?
You can check current streaming and viewing options for Cordial Agreement on JustWatch, which tracks availability across platforms in your region. Options may include rental or purchase depending on where you are located.
Is Cordial Agreement based on a true story?
Yes, the film is rooted in real history. It draws on André Maurois's book King Edward VII and His Times and dramatizes genuine diplomatic events, including the Fashoda Incident and the actual signing of the Entente Cordiale in 1904. Fictional characters are woven in alongside real historical figures to bring the story to life.
Who are the main actors in Cordial Agreement?
The cast is led by Victor Francen as King Edward VII, with Gaby Morlay portraying Queen Victoria and Pierre Richard-Willm as Captain Charles Roussel. The ensemble also features Bernard Lancret, Janine Darcey, Jean Périer as President Émile Loubet, and Jacques Baumer as Georges Clemenceau.
Who directed Cordial Agreement and what is his legacy?
Marcel L'Herbier directed the film. A pioneering figure of French cinema, L'Herbier was celebrated for his work in the silent era before transitioning to sound films. Cordial Agreement stands as one of his most ambitious historical productions, combining political drama with sweeping period spectacle.
What films are similar to Cordial Agreement?
If you enjoyed Cordial Agreement, you might appreciate Mayerling (1968), The Young Karl Marx (2017), Mr. Turner (2014), and Séraphine (2008). These films share a similar taste for richly detailed European period drama, blending historical figures with intimate human stories.
When and where was Cordial Agreement first released?
The film premiered in France on April 20, 1939, at a moment of acute international tension. It reached American audiences later that same year, opening on December 25, 1939 — by which point the Second World War had already begun, lending the film's message of Franco-British unity an urgent, real-world resonance.
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