Marie-Louise (1944)
A Swiss wartime drama following a young French girl evacuated to neutral Switzerland, torn between comfort and the duty to return home.
Marie-Louise - Movie Information
- Original Title: Marie-Louise
- Release Year: 1944
- Directed by: Leopold Lindtberg
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, War
- Runtime: 1h 39m
- Original Language: German
- Spoken Languages: German
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 18, 1944 (Switzerland - 16)
- Alternative Titles: Marie Louise (PT), Livets Parade (DK), Maria Louisa (GR), Marie Luisa (XC)
- Production Companies: Praesens-Film
- Production Countries: Switzerland
Marie-Louise - Plot
The titular Marie-Louise is a young French lass who is evacuated to Switzerland when her country is overrun by the Nazis. Suffering a nervous breakdown, she is given comfort and shelter by a wealthy family. Unfortunately, living in the lap of luxury makes Marie-Louise hesitant to return home to her mother and war torn home. Eventually the girl comes to her senses, but it isn't easy.
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Marie-Louise - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Leopold Lindtberg
Main Cast
- Josiane Hegg
- Heinrich Gretler
- Margrit Winter
- Anne-Marie Blanc
- Armin Schweizer
- Mathilde Danegger
- Fred Tanner
- Emil Gerber
- Bernard Ammon
- Germaine Tournier
Writers
- Richard Schweizer
Marie-Louise - FAQs
What is Marie-Louise about?
Marie-Louise follows a young French girl who is evacuated to neutral Switzerland after Nazi forces overrun her homeland. Taken in by a prosperous Swiss family, she gradually recovers from emotional trauma but grows reluctant to leave her comfortable new life and return to her war-torn mother and home.
Who directed Marie-Louise?
Marie-Louise was directed by Leopold Lindtberg, a Vienna-born filmmaker who became one of the most significant directors in Swiss cinema history. The film stands as one of his most celebrated works and earned Switzerland its first Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
Is Marie-Louise based on a true story?
Marie-Louise is not based on a single documented true story, but it draws on the real wartime practice of evacuating French children to neutral Switzerland during the Nazi occupation of France. The film reflects genuine humanitarian efforts of the era, lending its fictional narrative a strong sense of historical authenticity.
Who are the main actors in Marie-Louise?
The film stars Josiane Hegg as the title character Marie-Louise Fleury, alongside Heinrich Gretler as Director Rüegg and Margrit Winter as Anna Rüegg. The supporting cast includes Anne-Marie Blanc, Armin Schweizer, Mathilde Danegger, Fred Tanner, Emil Gerber, Bernard Ammon, and Germaine Tournier.
Did Marie-Louise win any awards?
Yes. Marie-Louise earned Richard Schweizer an Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay at the 18th Academy Awards in 1946, making it a landmark achievement for Swiss cinema. The film was also a critical success upon its Swiss release in 1944, praised for its humane portrayal of wartime displacement.
What genre is Marie-Louise?
Marie-Louise is a Drama and War film. It blends the intimate emotional journey of a displaced child with the broader backdrop of World War II, exploring themes of belonging, identity, and the psychological toll of conflict on the most vulnerable members of society.
When was Marie-Louise released?
Marie-Louise was released on June 18, 1944, in Switzerland. The film premiered during the final years of World War II, giving its story of French children evacuated to neutral Swiss territory an immediate and powerful resonance with contemporary audiences.
What are some films similar to Marie-Louise?
Viewers who appreciate Marie-Louise may also enjoy Full Metal Jacket (1987) and Oppenheimer (2023) for their unflinching engagement with war and its human cost. For classic European cinema with thematic depth, Contempt (1963) and Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (1970) offer compelling alternatives.
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