The two-part French film "La Bataille de Gaulle" has passed 5 million admissions in French cinemas, nearly three months after the release of its first installment, producer and distributor Pathe announced.
By midweek, the first film, "L'Age de fer," had racked up more than 2.7 million admissions since its release on June 5, while the second, "J'ecris ton nom," had already passed 2.2 million admissions since June 26.
"La Bataille de Gaulle" was the biggest budget French film of the year.
A wartime story, not a classic biopic
Directed by Antonin Baudry, "La Bataille de Gaulle" is not a conventional biopic. It focuses on the period from June 1940 to August 1944, when General Charles de Gaulle, exiled in London, fought to be recognized as the representative of Free France.
The film, described as solemn, melancholic and slightly offbeat, stars Simon Abkarian in the lead role. The supporting cast includes Benoit Magimel, Niels Schneider, Anamaria Vartolomei and Thierry Lhermitte.
A slow start followed by strong word of mouth
The 5 million admissions mark is a strong result given the film's gentle start. The first installment opened with 383,347 admissions in its release week, placing second at the box office behind the American comedy "Scary Movie."
Over the following weeks, the film was carried by enthusiastic word of mouth, maintaining a stable audience despite competition from American blockbusters.
Exceptional ratings on Allocine
Pathe said the first film holds a spectator rating of 4.4 out of 5 on the French review site Allocine, while the second holds 4.5 out of 5, describing them as exceptional averages that rank both films among the most highly rated by the public across all categories.
According to Pathe, that puts them ahead of "Oppenheimer" (4.3), "Saving Private Ryan" (4.4), "Is Paris Burning?" (3.9), "Dunkirk" (3.9), "The Pianist" (4.4), "Dune" (4.4) and "Million Dollar Baby" (4.4).
No plans for a third film
Asked whether the sustained success might inspire a third installment, Baudry indicated it would not happen. Speaking at the release of the second film, he said he was not suggesting there were no other historical periods that were hugely interesting, and that he was sure other directors would take them on.
He said what interested him was not de Gaulle the politician, nor the founder of the Fifth Republic, nor the question of the colonies, none of which could have given him the energy to carry such a project for six years. He said this was the film he made.
