Le Chambon (1994)
A French TV drama about the village of Chambon and its courageous pastor who sheltered Jewish children during the Nazi occupation of France.
Le Chambon - Movie Information
- Original Title: La Colline aux mille enfants
- Release Year: 1994
- Directed by: Jean-Louis Lorenzi
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, War, TV Movie
- Runtime: 1h 58m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: German, French
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 3, 1994 (France)
- Production Companies: Nederlands Film Instituut, France 2, Caméras Continentales, France 3, Productions Films 7, SFP, Télémax, SRF, EO, NFI-Productions, Bernard Lang AG
- Production Countries: Netherlands, France, Switzerland
Le Chambon - Plot
During the Nazi regime in France in World War II, Pastor Fontaine and the town of Chambon undertake a mission to protect and shelter the children of many of the Jews sent to concentration camps.
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Le Chambon - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Jean-Louis Lorenzi
Main Cast
- Patrick Raynal
- Ottavia Piccolo
- Jip Wijngaarden
- Dora Doll
- Jean-François Garreaud
- Benoît Magimel
- Célia Asensio
- Diane Dassigny
- Deborah Biolzi
- Yonathan Bloch
Writers
- Jean-Louis Lorenzi
Le Chambon - FAQs
What is Le Chambon about?
Le Chambon follows Pastor Fontaine and the small French village of Chambon, who quietly defy the Nazi occupation by hiding Jewish children whose parents have been deported to concentration camps. It's a moving portrait of moral courage, community solidarity, and compassion in the darkest of times.
Is Le Chambon based on a true story?
Yes, the film draws on the remarkable real history of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, a small Protestant village in southern France. During the German occupation, its inhabitants — led by pastor André Trocmé — sheltered thousands of Jewish refugees, mostly children, at great personal risk. The village is recognized as Righteous Among the Nations.
Is there a post-credits scene in Le Chambon?
Le Chambon is a 1994 French TV film and doesn't feature a post-credits scene. It closes on a reflective, emotionally resonant note that honors the memory of the real villagers who risked their lives to protect Jewish children during the Nazi occupation of France.
Who are the main actors in Le Chambon?
The cast is led by Patrick Raynal as Pastor Jean Fontaine and Ottavia Piccolo as his wife Martha. They're joined by Jip Wijngaarden, Dora Doll, Jean-François Garreaud, and a young Benoît Magimel — who would later become one of France's most acclaimed actors — alongside Guillaume Canet in an early role.
Who directed Le Chambon and wrote the screenplay?
Jean-Louis Lorenzi both directed and wrote Le Chambon, bringing a deeply personal and historically grounded vision to the project. Known for his work in French television drama, Lorenzi crafted one of his most celebrated achievements here — praised for its sensitivity and its faithful, humane treatment of a remarkable chapter of history.
What genre is Le Chambon?
Le Chambon is a drama and war TV film. It blends the intimate emotional texture of a character-driven story with the historical weight of a World War II narrative, focusing less on battlefield action and more on the quiet, everyday heroism of ordinary people protecting the vulnerable under occupation.
What are some films similar to Le Chambon?
If Le Chambon resonates with you, explore Army of Shadows (1969), Suite Française (2015), Sarah's Key (2010), and The Scarlet and the Black (1983). Each film examines resistance, moral courage, or survival during World War II, offering different perspectives on how individuals and communities responded to Nazi occupation.
How was Le Chambon received by audiences and critics?
Le Chambon earned strong praise for its restrained, humanist approach to a profoundly moving chapter of French history. Critics highlighted the ensemble performances and Lorenzi's sensitive direction. The film is widely regarded as one of the finest French TV productions of the 1990s dealing with the Occupation and the spirit of resistance.
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