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De Gaulle (2020) movie poster

Timeline

De Gaulle (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 108 mins · French
Echo score 62
Directed by
Gabriel Le Bomin
Starring
Lambert Wilson, Olivier Gourmet, Philippe Laudenbach, Isabelle Carré, Andrew Bicknell, Laurent Stocker

In June 1940, as France faces military and political collapse, Charles de Gaulle makes the momentous decision to join the Free French Forces in London. Meanwhile, his wife, Yvonne, is left in Paris with their three children, embarking on a perilous journey along the roads of the exodus, facing uncertainty and danger amidst the turmoil of war.

History Drama Cast, crew & box office
On this page (4)
  1. 1 Events in order (13)
  2. 2 Timeline questions answered
  3. 3 Movie threads
  4. 4 Every angle

13 events in order · contains spoilers

De Gaulle Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of De Gaulle (2020) 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. De Gaulle goes to war as brigadier general; Yvonne stays with children

    In June 1940, as the Battle of France rages, Charles de Gaulle joins the fight as a brigadier general. His wife Yvonne remains at home to care for Elisabeth, Philippe, and little Anne while the country faces invasion. The family endures the looming threat of German occupation from Paris onward.

    When
    June 1940
    Where
    Paris, France

  2. Fall Rot activated; de Gaulle named Defence Minister

    With Fall Rot underway, Paul Reynaud appoints de Gaulle as Defence Minister under the authority of Deputy Prime Minister Philippe Pétain. The cabinet positions him to shape France's defense, even as tensions with his critics mount. The move sets the stage for Gaulle to pursue bold, controversial strategies.

    When
    June 1940
    Where
    Paris, France

  3. Visit to Weygand fuels debate on truce

    Weygand pushes for a possible truce with Germany, prompting de Gaulle to reassess options. The exchange underscores the divide within the French leadership over how to respond to the invasion. This moment nudges de Gaulle toward seeking support beyond Paris.

    When
    June 1940
    Where
    Paris, France

  4. De Gaulle flies to Britain to meet Churchill

    Deciding to explore alternatives, de Gaulle travels to Britain to press for the evacuation of the French army to French North Africa. The trip marks a crucial pivot, moving the center of gravity of the French resistance to exile in London. Churchill's backing would prove pivotal for his later efforts.

    When
    June 1940
    Where
    London, United Kingdom

  5. French leaders' view of de Gaulle shifts

    Upon his return from Britain, Reynaud, Pétain, and Weygand reassess de Gaulle and begin taking him more seriously as a potential leader. The meetings abroad appear to soften their stance, though divisions remain. The perception of de Gaulle as a mere insurgent gives way to recognition of his resolve.

    When
    June 1940
    Where
    Paris, France

  6. Anglo-French Supreme War Council meetings: Churchill and Spears

    During the Supreme War Council, de Gaulle meets British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and General Edward Spears on June 11. The discussions establish a framework for coordinated resistance and his role within the Allied effort. The meetings signal a turning point toward exile leadership and active collaboration.

    When
    11 June 1940
    Where
    London, United Kingdom

  7. Supreme War Council meeting with the Earl of Halifax

    Two days after the first meeting, de Gaulle sits down with the Earl of Halifax to continue strategic talks. The exchanges reinforce the Allied commitment to supporting French resistance from exile. The dates underscore the rapid tempo of Franco-British coordination in mid-June 1940.

    When
    13 June 1940
    Where
    London, United Kingdom

  8. Resignation offered; Mandel urges him to stay

    Following the council meetings, de Gaulle offers his resignation as Defence Minister. However, Interior Minister Georges Mandel urges him to remain in the government and to carry on the struggle. The decision keeps him in a position to influence the French resistance and public messaging.

    When
    June 1940
    Where
    Paris, France

  9. Escape from French North Africa triggers suspicion; arrest warrant

    An escape from French North Africa, aided by Edward Spears and Jean Laurent, arouses German suspicion and an arrest warrant is issued in de Gaulle's name. The chase intensifies the sense of peril surrounding his mission and compels further clandestine movement. The event pushes him toward a more permanent exile in Britain.

    When
    June 1940
    Where
    French North Africa

  10. Landed in Britain; Churchill suggests BBC work

    De Gaulle lands in Britain and goes directly to see Churchill. Churchill proposes that he work for the BBC Radio, leveraging his leadership and credibility to rally the French. The arrangement places de Gaulle at the heart of Allied communication and morale.

    When
    17 June 1940
    Where
    London, United Kingdom

  11. Appeal to the French people from London

    The following day, de Gaulle makes a broadcast urging the French not to be demoralized and to keep fighting Germany. The appeal marks the formal start of the Free French leadership in exile and a shift in French morale. The message underscores his role as a symbol of resistance.

    When
    18 June 1940
    Where
    London, United Kingdom

  12. Yvonne and children flee Colombey-les-Deux-Églises

    As German forces press into France, Yvonne de Gaulle and the children evacuate from Colombey-les-Deux-Églises. The family faces displacement even as Charles fights to keep France's spirit intact. Their departure highlights the personal cost of the war.

    When
    June 1940
    Where
    Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, France

  13. De Gaulle becomes leader of the Free French

    By 25 June 1940, de Gaulle assumes leadership of the Free French movement in exile. This role positions him as a central figure of the French Resistance and the future government-in-exile, ultimately contributing to his later presidency. The rapid sequence of events in June 1940 cements his place in history.

    When
    25 June 1940
    Where
    London, United Kingdom

Last updated: February 25, 2026 at 08:22

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Timeline questions answered

De Gaulle Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of De Gaulle (2020): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why was Charles de Gaulle appointed Defence Minister?

Paul Reynaud appointed de Gaulle as Defence Minister in June 1940 to strengthen France's military response during the Battle of France. Reynaud hoped de Gaulle's bold stance and military expertise could help reverse France's deteriorating situation, though the appointment immediately created tension with cabinet members like Pétain and Weygand who were more cautious.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, de Gaulle had already distinguished himself as a vocal advocate for resisting German advances, which drew Reynaud's attention.

  • defence minister
  • paul reynaud
  • appointment
  • 1940
  • french government
Q2

Why did de Gaulle travel to Britain to meet Churchill?

De Gaulle flew to Britain in June 1940 to secure Churchill's support for evacuating French forces to French North Africa and to gain backing for a more defiant French posture against Germany. With French leadership divided between those favoring surrender and those wanting to fight on, de Gaulle sought external allies to strengthen his position and explore alternatives to capitulation.

Foreshadowing: The film shows growing tension within the French cabinet, with Weygand pushing for a possible truce with Germany, prompting de Gaulle to look beyond Paris for support.

  • churchill
  • britain
  • london
  • evacuation
  • north africa
  • allies
Q3

What was the significance of de Gaulle's June 18 broadcast?

On June 18, 1940, de Gaulle delivered a radio appeal through BBC Radio urging the French people not to lose heart and to continue fighting the German invaders. This broadcast marked the formal beginning of his leadership of the Free French movement in exile and transformed him from a government minister into the symbol of French resistance, providing hope and a clear call to action for occupied France.

Foreshadowing: Churchill had suggested de Gaulle work for BBC Radio the day before, positioning him to reach French audiences directly.

  • june 18
  • broadcast
  • bbc
  • free french
  • appeal
  • resistance
Q4

Why did Yvonne de Gaulle stay in France with the children?

Yvonne de Gaulle remained in France with their three children, Elisabeth, Philippe, and Anne, while Charles pursued his military and political mission in London. Her role was to maintain the family unit during the chaos of the exodus, keeping the household together as Germany pressed deeper into French territory. The family eventually fled Colombey-les-Deux-Églises as German forces advanced.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes early that Yvonne holds the family together at home while Charles is absorbed in the nation's crisis.

  • yvonne
  • children
  • family
  • paris
  • exodus
  • colombey
Q5

What changed how French leaders viewed de Gaulle after Britain?

After de Gaulle returned from his meetings with Churchill in Britain, French leaders including Reynaud, Pétain, and Weygand began reassessing their view of him. His direct talks with the British Prime Minister and his successful push for Franco-British coordination demonstrated his international credibility and strategic vision, shifting their perception from viewing him as a disruptive insurgent to recognizing his potential as a serious leader.

Foreshadowing: The film shows de Gaulle's journey to Britain as a crucial turning point that elevated his political standing.

  • reynaud
  • pétain
  • weygand
  • britain
  • political shift
  • leadership
Q6

Why was an arrest warrant issued for de Gaulle?

An arrest warrant was issued for de Gaulle after an escape from French North Africa, involving General Edward Spears and Jean Laurent, aroused German suspicion about French leadership's plans. The escape heightened German scrutiny of de Gaulle's activities and movements, pushing him toward more clandestine operations and ultimately cementing his decision to remain in exile in Britain.

Foreshadowing: The timeline shows this event occurred alongside de Gaulle's intensifying coordination with British officials.

  • arrest warrant
  • german
  • suspect
  • north africa
  • spears
  • escape
Q7

How did de Gaulle become leader of the Free French?

By June 25, 1940, de Gaulle had emerged as the unifying voice for French resistance and assumed leadership of the Free French movement in London. His June 18 broadcast, combined with his established credibility with Britain and his refusal to accept defeat, positioned him as the natural leader for French forces continuing the fight from exile. This role laid the groundwork for his later presidency of the Provisional Government.

Foreshadowing: The sequence of events, from his meetings with Churchill to the BBC appeal, demonstrates his rapid rise from government minister to resistance leader.

  • free french
  • leader
  • june 25
  • london
  • exile
  • government
Q8

What was the conflict between Pétain and de Gaulle?

Marshal Pétain, who served as Deputy Prime Minister, represented the faction within the French government that advocated for seeking an armistice with Germany. De Gaulle opposed this approach entirely, favoring continued resistance with British support. Their conflict symbolized the broader divide in French leadership between those who believed France should negotiate peace and those who insisted on fighting on, ultimately leading to de Gaulle's exile and Pétain's collaboration with the occupiers.

Foreshadowing: Weygand's push for a possible truce earlier in the film foreshadows the deeper ideological split that would divide the government.

  • pétain
  • armistice
  • conflict
  • wehrgand
  • collaboration
  • resistance
Q9

Why did de Gaulle offer his resignation as Defence Minister?

De Gaulle offered his resignation as Defence Minister following the Anglo-French Supreme War Council meetings in June 1940. However, Interior Minister Georges Mandel urged him to remain in the government and continue the struggle rather than withdraw. This moment reflected the intense political pressure de Gaulle faced and the uncertainty about his role within a cabinet increasingly divided over strategy.

Foreshadowing: The Supreme War Council meetings had established de Gaulle's growing role in Allied coordination, making his resignation offer seem paradoxical.

  • resignation
  • defence minister
  • mandel
  • government
  • cabinet
Q10

What caused the French government to collapse in June 1940?

The French government collapsed in June 1940 due to the rapid German advance during the Battle of France (Fall Rot), which overwhelmed French military defenses and created a leadership crisis. Key figures like Pétain and Weygand advocated capitulation, while Reynaud struggled to maintain cohesion. De Gaulle's appointment as Defence Minister and subsequent journey to Britain represented last-ditch efforts to find an alternative to surrender, but the internal divisions proved irreconcilable.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes early that the Battle of France sweeps across the land, pressing France to the edge of collapse.

  • fall rot
  • battle of france
  • collapse
  • government
  • 1940
  • germany

Movie threads

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

Stories of strategic endurance and exile like De Gaulle

Stories of leaders navigating collapse and strategizing from afar. For viewers who enjoyed De Gaulle, this section features movies like De Gaulle that explore leaders navigating political and military collapse, strategizing from exile, and embodying hope against overwhelming odds.

  • political tension
  • exile
  • national crisis
  • strategic survival
  • patriotic duty
  • Tone: tense, somber, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, deliberate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives typically follow a leader's journey through crisis, often involving difficult separations, perilous journeys, and intense political maneuvering. The story arc focuses on maintaining resolve and building a path forward when conventional power structures have failed.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here based on a shared pattern of depicting leadership during overwhelming national crises, the personal and political risks of exile, and the strategic decisions that define a nation's future.

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Movies with fragmented family survival journeys like De Gaulle

Families separated by conflict, navigating peril to reunite. If you liked the family separation and perilous journey in De Gaulle, explore these movies like De Gaulle that feature parallel stories of survival and the struggle to reunite amidst national turmoil.

  • family separation
  • perilous journey
  • wartime exodus
  • uncertainty
  • hopeful reunion
  • Tone: tense, somber, urgent
  • Pacing: steady, urgent
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories typically alternate between the perspectives of separated family members, highlighting their individual struggles, dangers faced, and the emotional toll of uncertainty. The narrative structure builds tension through intercutting and culminates in a reunion that provides a major emotional payoff.

Why they belong together: These films are linked by the powerful theme of family separation during war and the dual narrative of personal survival and political resistance, creating a rich, emotionally resonant experience.

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