Les Milles (1995)
A French war drama based on a true story of moral courage, defiance, and a desperate race to save hundreds of lives from Nazi persecution.
Les Milles - Movie Information
- Original Title: Les Milles
- Release Year: 1995
- Directed by: Sébastien Grall
- Type: Movie
- Genres: War, Drama
- Runtime: 1h 43m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: French
- Release Date (Theatrical): August 22, 1995 (France)
- Alternative Titles: Gefangen im Lager (DE), Les Milles, le train de la liberte (FR)
- Production Companies: Blue Films
- Production Countries: Poland, France, Germany
Les Milles - Plot
In the beginning of the Second World War, Germans, Austrians and persons without nationality living in France are sent to the concentration camp of Les Milles by France government. Commander Charles Perrochon is the responsible for this camp and he promises to the leaders of the prisoners to protect them from the Nazis. When France is invaded by the Germans, Commander Perronchon will disobey orders and his superiors trying to save these men. He gets a train, a ship and money from USA to send about eight hundred of these prisoners to the safety of Casablanca, in Marrocos.
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Les Milles - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Sébastien Grall
Main Cast
- Jean-Pierre Marielle
- Kristin Scott Thomas
- Ticky Holgado
- Philippe Noiret
- Rüdiger Vogler
- François Perrot
- François Berléand
- Jean-Marie Winling
- Bonnafet Tarbouriech
- Eric Petitjean
Writers
- Sébastien Grall
- Jean-Claude Grumberg
Producers
- Lew Rywin
- Raymond Blumenthal
Les Milles - FAQs
What is Les Milles about?
Les Milles follows Commander Perrochon, a French officer overseeing an internment camp where Germans, Austrians, and stateless people are held at the outbreak of World War II. When France falls to Nazi Germany, he defies his superiors and risks his career to smuggle nearly 800 prisoners to safety in Casablanca.
Is Les Milles based on a true story?
Yes, Les Milles is rooted in real history. The Les Milles internment camp near Aix-en-Provence actually existed, and the desperate effort to evacuate prisoners by train and ship before the Nazis could seize them is drawn from documented wartime events. The camp is now a memorial museum.
Did Commander Perrochon really disobey orders to save prisoners?
The film dramatizes a genuine act of moral courage. The real camp commander defied Vichy French authorities and Nazi pressure, securing transport to get hundreds of internees — many of them Jewish intellectuals and artists — out of France before the net closed around them.
Who were the prisoners held at Les Milles camp?
The camp held German and Austrian nationals living in France — many of them Jewish refugees who had fled Nazi Germany, including artists, writers, and intellectuals. The film features a character based on the real novelist Lion Feuchtwanger, played by Rüdiger Vogler, who was among those interned.
Where can you watch Les Milles?
You can find streaming and viewing options for Les Milles on JustWatch, which tracks availability across platforms in your region. Options may vary depending on your country, so checking JustWatch is the easiest way to see what's currently available for rental, purchase, or streaming.
Who are the main actors in Les Milles?
The cast is led by Jean-Pierre Marielle as Commander Perrochon and Philippe Noiret as the General, two of France's most celebrated actors. Kristin Scott Thomas, Ticky Holgado, Rüdiger Vogler, and François Berléand round out a strong ensemble that brings this wartime story to life.
Is Les Milles worth watching for World War II fans?
Absolutely. Les Milles offers a lesser-known angle on World War II — the moral crisis faced by French authorities under Nazi occupation. With a compelling true story, a heavyweight cast including Philippe Noiret and Kristin Scott Thomas, and a tense race-against-time narrative, it's a rewarding watch for fans of the genre.
What are similar films to Les Milles?
If Les Milles resonates with you, try Schindler's List (1993), Grand Illusion (1937), Suite Française (2015), or The Round Up (2010). The Great Escape (1963) and Resistance (2020) also explore wartime courage and survival, each from a distinct and compelling perspective.
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