This looks interesting.
It is about Charles de Gaulle's life between 1940 and 1944.
You could make 3 or 4 separate feature length films on his life such as by focusing on the events of 1968 or the period between his "comeback" in 1958 to his granting of independence to Algeria.
I would expect this movie to include depictions of his achievements as a military officer.
De Gaulle was among those who helped develop the theories associated with tank warfare, a topic which is often dominated by the work of the German Heinz Guderian. He was also the only French general to have mounted a successful counterattack against invading German forces during "Fall Gelb".
Also, this film will no doubt explore his close but complex relationship with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. He fled to England with only a few supporters and then a death sentence awaiting him in Vichy.
But he persevered and he gave Churchill "hell". Churchill and other Brits were perplexed as to why de Gaulle should be so bold and "arrogant" in his dealings with his hosts while in exile, but he felt that the fact that he was in a weak position meant that he should be even bolder when defending France's interests and its honour while the shame of capitulation and collaboration surrounded French acquiescence to German occupation and the creation of Vichy.
I hope the director recreates an episode where John Colville, Churchill's private secretary, heard them shouting at each other at the top of their voices in a rather violent way. Then a sudden silence descended on the place.
He thought that they'd killed each other.
But when he entered Churchill's office both men were sitting down and smiling at each other, De Gaulle was smoking one of Churchill's cigars.
I would also expect the film to cover the assassination attempt on him in Notre Dame Cathedral.
The man led an eventful life while living in interesting times!
© Adeyinka Makinde (2026).
Adeyinka Makinde is a writer based in London, England.
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