Goldwyn Bets on French WW2 Epic ‘De Gaulle’ Crossing Over to U.S. Audiences: ‘It’s the Story of an Ally’

The two-part French World War II drama centered on Charles de Gaulle has begun its U.S. rollout, marking a significant push to introduce American and international viewers to a pivotal yet often overlooked figure in wartime history. The first installment, titled “De Gaulle: Resistance,” premiered at the American French Film Festival in Los Angeles, drawing strong acclaim including an extended standing ovation following a back-to-back screening of both films.

Directed by Antonin Baudry and featuring Simon Abkarian as de Gaulle alongside Simon Russell Beale portraying Winston Churchill, the saga reconstructs the emergence of de Gaulle as a leader of the French Resistance after France’s fall in 1940. This production represents one of Pathé’s most ambitious projects, with a budget of €74 million, and follows the company’s prior international releases such as “The Count of Monte Cristo” and “The Three Musketeers.”

Although the films had a modest start in France, they gradually gained momentum and commercial success, ultimately selling over six million tickets domestically. Outside France, “De Gaulle: Resistance” has earned the distinction of being the highest-grossing French-language film in the United Kingdom this year. Further expanding its reach, the film series has secured a rare distribution deal in China, with a release slated for late November by Light Films.

In the United States, Samuel Goldwyn Films is spearheading a theatrical release across major cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., complemented by a nationwide availability on transactional video-on-demand platforms. The follow-up, “De Gaulle: Liberty,” is scheduled to debut in early December, continuing the narrative of the French leader’s wartime efforts.

Peter Goldwyn, head of the distributor, expressed confidence that the films’ extensive scope and cinematic scale, reminiscent of epic Hollywood productions, would resonate with American audiences despite the relative obscurity of de Gaulle in U.S. popular culture. He emphasized the universal appeal of World War II stories and highlighted the films’ focus on character-driven storytelling rather than solely on large-scale battle sequences.

Recognizing the challenges posed by the French language and the typical limitations of foreign-language films in U.S. theaters, the distributor opted for a dual release strategy. This approach pairs limited theatrical screenings with broad digital access to maximize audience reach and accommodate the shorter theatrical windows common in the American market.

The films also seek to offer a nuanced perspective on World War II, diverging from predominantly Anglo-American narratives by exploring the complex relationships among key Allied leaders—de Gaulle, Churchill, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. The screenplay, meticulously researched by Baudry and co-writer Bérénice Vila through extensive archival study and over 150 books, portrays ideological and strategic tensions among these figures, revealing little-known historical dynamics.

To ensure accessibility, the filmmakers arranged early viewings for younger audiences unfamiliar with the historical context, aiming to craft a narrative that stands independently of prior knowledge. In casting, Abkarian’s portrayal of de Gaulle demanded intensive preparation to capture the leader’s distinctive demeanor and oratory style, blending theatrical expertise with a deep understanding of de Gaulle’s complex personality.

The relationship between de Gaulle and Churchill is presented as a blend of mutual respect and contradiction, underscoring their shared idealism in contrast to Roosevelt’s pragmatic approach. This dynamic is central to the saga’s dramatic tension and enriches viewers’ understanding of Allied wartime politics.

While it remains to be seen how American audiences will receive this foreign-language epic, both Goldwyn and Abkarian suggest that de Gaulle’s determined leadership and principled defiance may resonate in contemporary contexts. The films thus offer not only a historical recounting but also a reflection on themes of patriotism and resistance that could find relevance beyond their immediate setting.