As the futility of heroism and the bitter aftermath of war have periodically returned to his work, La bataille du rail is the only seriously realist film which the French made at the liberation in 1945.

It took the grand prize at the first Cannes Festival in 1946. Although its director, Clément, was influenced by the Italian school of neo-realism, the idea for the film had begun earlier in Nice, where he and his associates had organized a discussion club, which later became IDHEC, the French film school.

The film was shot out of doors with non-actors. (It also contains documentary footage shot by an unknown amateur filmmaker). The script is episodic, involving separate sets of characters for each incident.

These scenarios include a meeting of the Resistance in the railyards and their narrow escape thanks to a timely air-raid; the planting of a bomb on a train, despite discovery by German guards; and the taking of hostages by the Germans and their death by firing squad. The film concludes with the derailing of a huge rail convoy.

The film's "immediacy, speed and detail," according to critic Dudley Andrew, make it still fresh today, and there can be no doubting its emotional impact. Its status as a classic in its own right is assured, although it is also of interest in the light of the subsequent careers of both its director and cinematographer.

Clément went on to become a major figure in French cinema, winning acclaim internationally for films such as Les jeux interdits (Forbidden Games), while Alekan's glittering career spanned both Cocteau's Belle et la bête and Wenders' Wings of Desire.

Nick Thomas

Prod co: Coopérative générale du cinéma français

Dir: René Clement

Scr: René Clément and Colette Audry, with Jean Daurand, based on stories told to Audry by members of the Resistance

Ph: Henri Alekan

Ed: Jacques Desagneaux

Music: Yves Baudrier

Cast: Antoine Laurent, Jacques Desagneaux, Leroy, Redon, Pauléon, Jean Clarieux

Running time: 87 mins

Screening: 22 June, 12.00, Jalta

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