Austere film that makes the experience of the French Resistance come alive

This very matter of fact treatment of the French Occupation is very alive, despite all the death and tragedy of the time. The film does not lionize its characters but that makes them more admirable than the superhero crop that one normally sees in these types of films. These are everyday people doing extraordinary things constrained by mundane problems. Very moving throughout because the characters seem like someone next door, and their terror is visible despite their best efforts to cope.

No spectacles, yet visually striking, the directing is very austere and very accomplished, and thoroughly engrossing.