Suite Française

Lucile and her mother-in-law Madame Angellier escape an air raid by German Ju 87 Stuka bombers. The escape highlights the danger of life under occupation and foreshadows the arrival of occupation in the village.

Following the surrender, a regiment of German soldiers occupies the village and moves into the homes of the locals. The Angellier household becomes the billet for Wehrmacht Oberleutnant Bruno von Falk, setting up the tension between residents and occupiers.

Oberleutnant Bruno von Falk is billeted at the Angellier home. Lucile is wary at first, but his courteous demeanor and piano playing gradually charm her, and he gives her a piece of sheet music.

Lucile learns that her husband Gaston has been imprisoned in a German POW camp and discovers his affair with another woman. This revelation compounds her emotional turmoil and shifts her feelings toward Bruno.

At Lucile's request, Bruno confronts the German officer Kurt Bonnet over his harassment of Madeleine. The confrontation shows Bruno's willingness to stand up for others and deepens Lucile's conflicted feelings toward him.

Benoit, wounded in the leg and unable to fight, performs an act of resistance by stealing the German soldiers' clothes while they bathe. The bold move signals growing resistance within the village.

Viscountess de Montmort catches Benoit stealing a chicken from her coop. When Benoit points a gun at her, she alerts her husband, who orders German soldiers to pursue him. Benoit then kills Kurt in a barn and escapes into the forest.

The Wehrmacht launches a 48-hour manhunt to capture Benoit, and the Viscount is kept hostage by a major who threatens execution if Benoit is not found. The town endures fear as the search closes in.

Madeleine reluctantly helps Lucile hide Benoit in the Angellier attic. Lucile orchestrates the concealment as the search intensifies.

Despite the massive manhunt, Benoit remains hidden and the Viscount is executed by firing squad to pressure the townspeople. The community is forced to confront the consequences of resistance.

With withdrawal looming, Lucile arranges Benoit's travel to Paris and secures a travel pass with Bruno's assistance. The plan signals a turn toward active resistance and hope for liberation.

At the checkpoint, Benoit shoots German soldiers, wounding one. Bruno arrives on a motorcycle, and Lucile cannot bring herself to shoot him; instead they help lift the wounded Benoit into the car and escape toward Paris.

Lucile and Benoit join the French Resistance, contributing to the broader effort to liberate France. Their partnership reflects the shift from personal risk to collective action.

Bruno von Falk dies during the war, leaving Lucile with memories of him and the piano score Suite Française he gave her. The music remains a cherished relic of their brief bond and the nation’s struggle.