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Resistance (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 120 min · English
Echo score 62
JustWatch #12,670 8
Directed by
Jonathan Jakubowicz
Starring
Jesse Eisenberg, Clémence Poésy, Géza Röhrig, Ed Harris, Édgar Ramírez, Bella Ramsey

During the Nazi occupation of Europe, Marcel Mangel's life takes a dramatic turn from carefree youth to perilous involvement with the Resistance. The aspiring actor and artist, Marcel, portrayed by Jesse Eisenberg, abandons his burlesque performances to undertake dangerous missions. He uses his talents to instruct orphaned Jewish children, equipping them with essential survival skills as they navigate the devastating realities of the Holocaust.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (14)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Resistance
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Resistance (2020)

Where can you watch Resistance? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Philo, Sundance Now and Kanopy: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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14 events in order · contains spoilers

Resistance Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Resistance (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. Nazis invade Elsbeth's home

    In 1938 Munich, Nazi Brown Shirts intrude upon the home of a young Jewish girl, Elsbeth, and slaughter her parents. The brutality establishes the grim stakes of the occupation and the personal cost to Jewish families living under the regime.

    When
    1938
    Where
    Munich, Nazi Germany
  2. Marcel pursues art in Strasbourg

    In 1939 Strasbourg, Marcel Marceau works in his father's butcher shop while chasing mime and painting, despite his father's disapproval. He is drawn to the arts and admires a local girl, Emma, hoping to marry her, even as he performs Chaplin-inspired impressions at a cabaret.

    When
    1939
    Where
    Strasbourg, France
  3. Resistance network grows in Strasbourg

    As the war intensifies, Marcel and Emma become more involved with the French Resistance and aid the Jewish community. Georges and Emma lead a Scout troop of 123 orphans who relocate to a castle near Strasbourg, with Marcel’s humor helping the children cope and bond with him.

    When
    1939-1941
    Where
    Strasbourg, France
  4. Children dispersed to hide their visibility

    To minimize detection, the Jewish children are distributed into smaller groups, some sent to churches and others to Jewish families. Marcel and Emma maintain contact with Elsbeth, keeping the lines of rescue and support open amid increasing danger.

    When
    1940-1941
    Where
    Strasbourg region, France
  5. Klaus Barbie arrives in Lyon

    In 1942, Klaus Barbie arrives in Lyon with a mission to eradicate the Resistance, using bribery and brutal executions to terrorize opponents. His notoriety grows as he conducts brutal acts in Gestapo facilities, earning the moniker 'The Butcher of Lyon'.

    When
    1942
    Where
    Lyon, France
  6. Marcel and Emma move to Lyon

    Marcel and Emma relocate to Lyon to continue their Resistance work, joined by Marcel's brother Alain and Emma's sister Mila. The group deepens their commitment to sheltering Jewish children and coordinating escapes.

    When
    1942
    Where
    Lyon, France
  7. Alain escapes a Nazi sweep

    During a Nazi sweep of Lyon’s train station, Alain narrowly avoids capture. Marcel assists in the escape by distracting the soldiers and scaling dangerous risks to keep his brother safe.

    When
    1942-1943
    Where
    Lyon, France
  8. Mila tortured; Emma coerced

    Mila is captured during a Gestapo roundup and tortured to death by Barbie, who forces Emma to reveal information about the Resistance. Emma survives by collaborating with the enemy, but the trauma leads her to contemplate suicide.

    When
    1943
    Where
    Lyon, France
  9. Emma and Marcel vow to save the children

    Marcel and Emma rescue each other from despair and pledge to help Jewish children escape to Switzerland. They frame their mission as a family excursion, disguising the route as a Scout hiking trip to protect the plan.

    When
    1943
    Where
    Lyon, France
  10. Escape begins toward the Alps

    Marcel, Emma, and Alain escort a dozen children, including Elsbeth, toward the French Alps and the Swiss border by SNCF train. Barbie's SS troops close in at the last station before the border, forcing Emma to hide while they press on with the plan.

    When
    1943
    Where
    French Alps, near the Swiss border
  11. Barbie closes in; Emma is wounded

    Barbie mobilizes his forces and pursues the group into the icy forests along the Swiss border. He nearly corners Marcel and mortally wounds Emma, but the group still manages to push toward safety and escape.

    When
    1943
    Where
    Icy forests near the Swiss border
  12. Escape succeeds; Switzerland

    The children reach Switzerland, marking a successful escape from peril. Marcel carries the weight of Emma’s death, yet his resolve to protect children remains unwavering as they begin a new life beyond occupied France.

    When
    1943
    Where
    Switzerland
  13. Nuremberg and the war ends in memory

    The film closes in 1945 at Nuremberg, where Marcel Marceau serves as a liaison officer with the United States Army. General Patton introduces him, and it is revealed that he crossed the Alps many times to save hundreds of children, preserving their hope through art and acting.

    When
    1945
    Where
    Nuremberg, Germany
  14. Final mime tribute

    The closing moment features Marcel performing his iconic mime in white makeup and a blue-and-white shirt. The flourish honors resilience, memory, and the transformative power of art to endure amid atrocity.

    When
    1945
    Where
    Nuremberg, Germany

Last updated: January 20, 2026 at 17:12

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Timeline questions answered

Resistance Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

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

Q1

Why did Emma collaborate with the Gestapo after being tortured?

Emma was captured during a Gestapo roundup and tortured by Klaus Barbie. Under the extreme duress of torture, she gave in and revealed information about the Resistance to save herself. The trauma was so severe that she contemplated suicide afterward, but Marcel rescued her from despair and they renewed their vow to protect Jewish children.

  • emma
  • gestapo
  • torture
  • collaboration
  • klaus barbie
Q2

How did Marcel and Emma plan the children's escape to Switzerland?

They disguised the escape as a Scouts' hiking trip. Marcel, Emma, and Marcel's brother Alain escorted a group of children including Elsboth toward the French Alps using SNCF trains. The plan involved multiple steps: traveling by train to the last checkpoint before the border, then moving through the icy forests on foot while Barbie and his SS troops pursued them.

  • escape
  • switzerland
  • children
  • alps
  • trains
Q3

What happened to Mila, Emma's sister?

Mila was captured during a Gestapo raid in Lyon along with other Resistance members. She was tortured to death by Klaus Barbie in an attempt to force Emma to reveal information about the Resistance network. Her death was one of the traumatic events that drove Marcel and Emma to intensify their mission to save children.

  • mila
  • torture
  • lyon
  • barbie
  • captured
Q4

How did Marcel use mime to help the orphaned children?

Marcel used his mime and performance talents to entertain and comfort the 123 Jewish orphans living in the castle near Strasbourg. His silent, imaginative performances gave the children moments of joy and relief from the fear of the Nazi occupation, helping them cope with the traumatic reality they were living in.

  • mime
  • children
  • performance
  • entertainment
  • orphanage
Q5

Why was Klaus Barbie called 'The Butcher of Lyon'?

Klaus Barbie earned the nickname 'The Butcher of Lyon' for his brutal methods as the Gestapo chief in Lyon. He used bribery, manipulation, and brutal executions to terrorize the Resistance and Jewish community. He conducted brutal acts in the Gestapo headquarters' empty swimming pool, and was responsible for torturing and killing many, including Mila.

  • klaus barbie
  • butcher of lyon
  • gestapo
  • torture
  • execution
Q6

How did Marcel help his brother Alain escape the Nazi sweep at Lyon train station?

During a Nazi sweep of Lyon's train station, Marcel's brother Alain was trapped. Marcel distracted the German soldiers and created a cover by burning one of them, which allowed Alain to slip away and escape capture.

  • alain
  • escape
  • train station
  • burning soldier
Q7

Why was Emma killed at the Swiss border?

Emma was mortally wounded during the pursuit through the icy forests near the Swiss border. As Barbie and his SS troops closed in on the group, Emma was shot while helping the children escape. She died at the edge of the border, but the children successfully crossed into Switzerland.

  • emma
  • wounded
  • border
  • switzerland
  • death
Q8

How many children did Marcel Marceau save during the war?

According to the film, Marcel Marceau helped save hundreds of children throughout the war. He crossed the Alps multiple times to escort Jewish children to safety in Switzerland, using his position in the Resistance to coordinate the escape operations.

  • children saved
  • alps
  • switzerland
  • hundreds
Q9

What was the significance of Marcel's final mime performance at Nuremberg?

At the end of the film in 1945, Marcel performs his iconic mime in white makeup before troops and civilians at Nuremberg. This moment represents the culmination of his journey - using his artistic gift not just for entertainment but as a tool of resistance, survival, and hope. It honors the resilience and memory of all those who were saved.

  • mime
  • nuremberg
  • performance
  • finale
  • art
Q10

Why were the children dispersed from the castle in Strasbourg?

The Jewish children were distributed into smaller groups to minimize visibility and reduce the risk of detection by the Nazis. Some were sent to churches while others were placed with Jewish families across the Strasbourg region. This dispersal was a dangerous but necessary measure as the Nazi occupation intensified.

  • children
  • dispersed
  • castle
  • churches
  • families
Q11

Why did Marcel abandon his career to join the Resistance?

Marcel's transformation from aspiring mime artist to Resistance fighter was driven by the Nazi occupation and the plight of Jewish people, including the murder of Elsbeth's parents and the presence of 123 orphaned children in his care. The escalating danger made his artistic pursuits impossible, and he felt compelled to use his skills to help protect and save lives.

  • marcel
  • resistance
  • transformation
  • artist
  • occupation
Q12

What happened to Elsbeth's parents in the opening scene?

In 1938 Munich, Nazi Brown Shirts invaded Elsbeth's home and murdered her parents. This brutal event established the personal stakes of the Nazi occupation and explains why Elsbeth became one of the children Marcel and Emma fought to protect throughout the war.

  • elsbeth
  • parents
  • murdered
  • munich
  • nazi

Movie threads

More Movies Like Resistance, by Mood & Story

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

Movies about civilian heroes like Resistance

Stories of everyday people risking everything to defy oppression. This collection features movies like Resistance, where ordinary individuals become unlikely heroes during times of war. If you were moved by Marcel's journey from performer to Resistance fighter, you'll find similar stories of courage, sacrifice, and resilience against overwhelming odds.

  • tense
  • courageous
  • perilous
  • heartfelt
  • anxious
  • suspenseful
  • Tone: tense, heartfelt, courageous
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows an unlikely protagonist whose life is upended by a larger conflict. They start with a personal goal or a normal life, but a moral imperative forces them into action. The journey is one of transformation, moving from self-preservation to self-sacrifice, with the plot driven by close calls, moral dilemmas, and the forging of unexpected bonds.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped together because they share a core premise: the heroism of the common person. They blend high-stakes tension with deep character development, creating a powerful emotional experience centered on the choice to fight back when it would be safer to look away.

Movies with a bittersweet wartime ending like Resistance

Stories where survival comes with profound loss and a heavy heart. Discover films that share the poignant, bittersweet tone of Resistance. If the ending, marked by both survival and sacrifice, resonated with you, this collection features similar war dramas and historical stories where hope is hard-won and tempered by loss.

  • bittersweet
  • sorrowful
  • heartfelt
  • tense
  • anxious
  • solemn
  • Tone: bittersweet, sorrowful, tense
  • Pacing: steady, deliberate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative builds towards a goal of survival or rescue, but the path is littered with loss. Characters form deep connections, making the stakes intensely personal. The climax often involves a major sacrifice, and the resolution acknowledges the victory while focusing on the emotional scars and the memory of those lost, resulting in an ending that is hopeful yet deeply sobering.

Why they belong together: These movies are united by their emotional conclusion. They don't offer easy, triumphant endings but instead deliver a more realistic and emotionally complex payoff. The focus is on the lasting impact of trauma and the fragile nature of hope in the aftermath of devastation.

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Every angle

Resistance (2020) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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