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Army of Shadows (2006) movie poster

Timeline

Army of Shadows (2006) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2006 · 145 min · French
Directed by
Jean-Pierre Melville

During World War II, Philippe Gerbier becomes involved with the French Resistance in occupied France. The film portrays the harsh realities faced by those fighting against the Nazi regime, depicting a grim and unglamorous struggle for survival. Gerbier's quiet resolve is pushed to its limits as he endures betrayal, torture, and the constant threat of discovery while operating in Marseilles. His quest for justice and revenge becomes a dangerous and relentless battle against overwhelming odds, marked by suspicion and paranoia within the Resistance itself.

Drama War Cast, crew & box office
On this page (5)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Army of Shadows (2006)

Where can you watch Army of Shadows? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Army of Shadows Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Army of Shadows (2006) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Philippe Gerbier's Arrest

    Philippe Gerbier is apprehended by the Vichy French police after they suspect him of being involved in Resistance activities. Despite being acquitted for lack of evidence, he is sent to an internment camp, marking the beginning of his tumultuous journey in the Resistance.

    Where
    France

  2. Escape Plan Formation

    Within the internment camp, Gerbier teams up with a young Communist to devise an escape plan. They share their ideas, hoping for freedom, but their plans are disrupted when Gerbier is unexpectedly transferred to Paris for interrogation by the Gestapo.

    Where
    Internment Camp

  3. Daring Escape from Gestapo

    While being interrogated in Paris, Gerbier seizes a fleeting opportunity to kill a guard and makes a daring escape. This critical moment solidifies his commitment to the fight against the oppressive regime.

    Where
    Paris

  4. Confronting Betrayal

    Gerbier and his fellow Resistance members devise a plan to capture Paul Dounat, who betrayed him. They lure him into a trap and, despite the inability to utilize firearms, resort to strangling him in a grim execution of their plan.

    Where
    Marseille

  5. Recruiting a New Ally

    During a chance encounter at a bar, Félix reunites with his old friend Jean-François Jardie. Persuaded by Félix’s enthusiasm, Jean-François decides to join the underground operations, bringing valuable skills from his previous experiences as a pilot.

    Where
    Bar

  6. Evacuating Allied Soldiers

    Jean-François embarks on a mission to assist in evacuating Allied soldiers from the Mediterranean. He is joined by Gerbier and the mysterious figure known as the 'Big Boss,' who is later revealed to be Luc, brother of Jean-François.

    Where
    Mediterranean Sea

  7. Seeking Support in London

    Upon arriving in London, Gerbier attempts to secure additional resources for the Resistance from Free French leaders. Meanwhile, Luc is honored with a decoration from Charles de Gaulle, highlighting his contributions behind the scenes.

    Where
    London

  8. Return to France

    After learning that Félix has been captured by the Gestapo, Gerbier makes a hasty return to France. He parachutes back into the countryside, once again placing himself in grave danger to save his comrade.

    Where
    French Countryside

  9. Mathilde Takes Charge

    In Lyon, Mathilde, a determined housewife involved in the Resistance, assumes control of Gerbier's cell. Her strategic prowess impresses Gerbier, and he involves her in his plans to rescue Félix from Gestapo headquarters.

    Where
    Lyon

  10. Failed Rescue Attempt

    Mathilde and her team attempt to rescue Félix, disguised as Germans and armed with a forged order. Their bold effort is thwarted when the prison doctor deems Félix unfit for transport, highlighting the risks they face in their struggle.

    Where
    Gestapo Headquarters

  11. Jean-François Resigns

    In a pivotal moment, Jean-François makes the drastic decision to resign from the Resistance, coordinating his imprisonment with Félix to ensure they are together. His act of self-sacrifice comes from a place of friendship and loyalty.

    Where
    Prison

  12. Gerbier's Defiance

    Despite Mathilde's urging to remain safe, Gerbier adamantly refuses to withdraw from the fight. He believes that his leadership is essential at this critical time for the Resistance efforts against the Nazis.

    Where
    France

  13. Capture and Execution Plot

    Gerbier is captured by the Vichy police and delivered to German forces, facing imminent execution. He and his comrades learn that reaching a far wall might grant them a brief reprieve amidst a barrage of gunfire.

    Where
    Gestapo Execution Site

  14. Tragic Turn of Events

    In a heartbreaking moment, Le Bison shoots Mathilde as they discover her on the street. This shocking decision illustrates the depth of betrayal and the harsh realities faced by Resistance members navigating trust and survival.

    Where
    Paris

  15. Gerbier's Fate

    The film concludes with the grim fate of Gerbier and his comrades, all of whom are captured within a year. Gerbier's final decision not to escape on 13 February 1944 closes the story with a chilling reflection on the sacrifices made for their cause.

    When
    13 February 1944
    Where
    Unknown Location

Last updated: November 16, 2024 at 18:41

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Timeline questions answered

Army of Shadows Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Army of Shadows (2006): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why was Philippe Gerbier arrested by the Vichy French police?

Gerbier was arrested because the Vichy French police suspected him of being involved in Resistance activities against the Nazi regime. Although he was eventually acquitted due to insufficient evidence, the authorities still sent him to an internment camp rather than releasing him, reflecting the arbitrary nature of Vichy cooperation with Nazi occupation.

  • arrest
  • vichy police
  • resistance
  • internment camp
  • gerbier
Q2

How did Gerbier escape from the Gestapo in Paris?

While awaiting interrogation by the Gestapo in Paris, Gerbier spotted an opportunity and killed a guard before making a daring escape. This escape marked a critical turning point that solidified his commitment to the Resistance cause.

  • escape
  • gestapo
  • paris
  • guard
  • interrogation
Q3

Who betrayed Gerbier to the Gestapo in Marseille?

Paul Dounat was the young agent responsible for betraying Gerbier to the Gestapo. After luring him to a rendezvous in Marseille, Gerbier and his comrades strangled Dounat to execute him, since they could not use firearms due to new occupants in a neighboring house.

  • paul dounat
  • betrayal
  • marseille
  • gestapo
  • execution
Q4

Who is the "Big Boss" that travels with Gerbier to London?

The mysterious "Big Boss" is Luc Jardie, the brother of Jean-François Jardie. Luc leads a seemingly detached life as a distinguished philosopher in Paris while secretly serving as a high-ranking Resistance leader. Neither Gerbier nor Jean-François realize they are working with Luc until his identity is revealed.

  • big boss
  • luc
  • jean-francois
  • underground
  • submarine
  • london
Q5

Why did Jean-François resign from the Resistance?

Jean-François resigned from the Resistance specifically to be imprisoned alongside his friend Félix, who had been captured by the Gestapo. By incriminating himself, he ensured they would share a cell, allowing him to be with Félix during his final moments.

  • jean-francois
  • resignation
  • félix
  • prison
  • gestapo
  • capture
Q6

Why did Mathilde's rescue mission at Gestapo headquarters fail?

Mathilde, Le Masque, and Le Bison attempted to rescue Félix by disguising themselves as Germans with a forged transfer order. Their plan failed when the prison doctor examined Félix and declared him unfit for transport due to the severe torture he had endured. This forced them to abandon the rescue.

  • mathilde
  • rescue
  • félix
  • forged order
  • prison doctor
  • torture
Q7

Why was Mathilde executed by her own Resistance comrades?

Mathilde had been captured by the Nazis, and there was a real possibility she would reveal critical Resistance information under threat against her daughter. Gerbier ordered her execution, and though Le Bison initially refused, Luc convinced him that Mathilde would prefer death over betraying her comrades. Le Bison then shot her twice in Paris.

  • mathilde
  • execution
  • le bison
  • gerbier
  • luc
  • captured
  • betrayal
Q8

What happens to Gerbier at the end of Army of Shadows?

After Mathilde's execution, Gerbier, Luc, Le Bison, and Le Masque return to Paris. The film reveals that within less than a year, all four men were captured. Gerbier was captured on 13 February 1944, and on that same day, he chose not to run, accepting his fate rather than attempting escape.

  • gerbier
  • fate
  • 13 february 1944
  • captured
  • execution
  • nazis
Q9

Why did Félix receive a cyanide pill from Jean-François?

After the failed rescue attempt, Jean-François gave Félix his only cyanide pill as a mercy killing. Félix had been severely tortured and was declared unfit for transport by the prison doctor, leaving him with no hope of escape or survival. The cyanide offered him a way to avoid further torture and potential betrayal under duress.

  • félix
  • cyanide pill
  • jean-francois
  • mercy
  • torture
  • gestapo
Q10

How did Mathilde become involved in the Resistance?

Mathilde was a Parisian housewife who became deeply entrenched in the Resistance movement. When Gerbier was in Lyon, she took charge of his Resistance cell, impressing him with her strategic skills and organizational abilities, which led him to involve her in dangerous operations including the rescue of Félix.

  • mathilde
  • lyon
  • housewife
  • resistance cell
  • gerbier

Movie threads

More Movies Like Army of Shadows, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Army of Shadows tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Grim and Realistic War Movies like Army of Shadows

War stories that strip away heroism to reveal the grim, paranoid reality of survival. If you appreciated the unvarnished realism of Army of Shadows, explore these movies like it. This list features similar war dramas and historical films that share a bleak tone, heavy emotional weight, and a focus on the harsh, often hopeless, realities of conflict and resistance.

  • grim
  • tense
  • somber
  • fatalistic
  • claustrophobic
  • resigned
  • Tone: bleak, tense, grim
  • Pacing: steady, methodical
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives follow characters trapped in oppressive situations, often with a fatalistic trajectory. The plot is less about grand victories and more about a series of grim events—betrayal, capture, and difficult choices—that methodically strip away hope, leading to an emotionally heavy conclusion.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared commitment to portraying war with brutal honesty, a consistently bleak and tense atmosphere, and a focus on the high personal cost of conflict rather than its glory.

The Long Day’s Dying movie poster

The Long Day’s Dying

1968
The Winter War movie poster

The Winter War

1989
The Front Line movie poster

The Front Line

2012
Army of Shadows movie poster

Army of Shadows

2006
Westfront 1918 movie poster

Westfront 1918

1930
All Quiet on the Western Front movie poster

All Quiet on the Western Front

2022
The Ascent movie poster

The Ascent

1977
Fires on the Plain movie poster

Fires on the Plain

2014

Movies with Paranoia and Claustrophobic Tension like Army of Shadows

Stories of isolated groups fraying under constant threat and internal suspicion. For viewers who liked the tense, paranoid atmosphere of Army of Shadows, this section collects similar movies with a claustrophobic feel. These films, spanning thrillers, dramas, and war stories, feature characters under immense pressure, where survival hinges on navigating suspicion and betrayal.

  • paranoid
  • claustrophobic
  • tense
  • grim
  • suspenseful
  • fatalistic
  • Tone: tense, paranoid, bleak
  • Pacing: steady, deliberate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a close-knit group facing an external existential threat, which in turn breeds internal distrust and moral dilemmas. The pacing is often steady, building a sense of inescapable dread as alliances shift and the walls close in, both literally and figuratively.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their potent mix of high tension, a claustrophobic mood, and a focus on the psychological unraveling of characters who are trapped together in a high-stakes situation filled with paranoia.

Buried movie poster

Buried

2010
Strongroom movie poster

Strongroom

1962
Tunnel movie poster

Tunnel

2016
Trapped movie poster

Trapped

1989
Daylight movie poster

Daylight

1996
36 Hours movie poster

36 Hours

1965
Hidden movie poster

Hidden

2014
Bunker movie poster

Bunker

2023

Every angle

Army of Shadows (2006) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Army of Shadows in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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