Army of Crime
Seen it?2009 | 139 min | War, Drama, History
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (88% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had almost no lasting buzz and a lukewarm 6.4 out of 10 from audiences. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for history buffs. If you loved Schindler's List or Inglourious Basterds, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Harrowing.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 19 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
This gripping historical drama recounts the story of Armenian-born Missak Manouchian, a woodworker and political activist who led an immigrant laborer division of the Parisian Resistance on 30 operations against the Nazis in 1943. The Nazis branded the group an Army of Crime, an anti-immigrant propaganda stunt that backfired as the team's members became martyrs for the Resistance.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76 on Metacritic
- AudiencesBelow par
6.4 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$4 million worldwide on a $10 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 6K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Robert Guédiguian
- Simon AbkarianMissak Manouchian
- Virginie LedoyenMélinée Manouchian
- Robinson StéveninMarcel Rayman
- Lola NaymarkMonique Stern
- Adrien JolivetHenri Krasucki
- Pierre NineyHenri Keltekian
- Olga LegrandOlga Bancic
- Alexandru PotoceanAlexandre le mari d'Olga
- Jean-Pierre DarroussinInspecteur Pujol
- Yann TrégouëtCommissaire David