This Land Is Mine (1943)

71% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
84% of users liked it
(109 ratings)

Written by Dudley Nichols and directed by French expatriate director Jean Renoir, This Land is Mine is one of those "inspirational" wartime dramas that just don't hold up too well when seen today. The scene is an unnamed European country, recently overrun by the Nazis (this takes place… More Written by Dudley Nichols and directed by French expatriate director Jean Renoir, This Land is Mine is one of those "inspirational" wartime dramas that just don't hold up too well when seen today. The scene is an unnamed European country, recently overrun by the Nazis (this takes place during a "silent" opening sequence that's the best thing in the film). Charles Laughton plays Albert Lory, a mama's-boy schoolmaster who is the object of his students' ridicule. A craven coward, Lory is held responsible when resistance fighter Paul Martin (Kent Smith), the brother of beauteous teacher Louise Martin (Maureen O'Hara), is executed by the Nazis, though in fact it was Lory's panic-stricken mother (Una O'Connor) who betrayed Paul by informing on him to his friend and collaborator George Lambert (George Sanders). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Directed By: Jean Renoir
Written By: Dudley Nichols
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1943 Wide

Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Jean Renoir's 1943 film has its passionate defenders; the unfortunate thing, though, is that it needs them.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
One of his quietest and least startling.
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
It should have been stronger drama than it is. But for the points it does make and its concept of man as a continuing vessel for freedom's fire, it is certainly well worth seeing. It comes close, even if doesn't quite hit the mark.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Fails to be as inspirational when viewed today as it probably was during its day.
Derek Smith, Cinematic Reflections
It moves along like a well-oiled machine until the devestating final act ties all of the smaller stories together, making it's point without being overbearing or obvious.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
There is no black and white, no good or evil. There is only grey, and, in that grey area, an understanding of the frailty of human nature.
, Film4
The best film of Renoir's wartime American exile is a moving tirade against Nazism that packs quite an emotional punch.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Walter M

In "This Land Is Mine," lonely schoolteacher Albert(Charles Laughton, who is superb) finds there is something more frightening than his domineering mother(Una O'Connor) when the Nazis occupy his village. As usual, his students do not respect him, even though his fellow… More
In "This Land Is Mine," lonely schoolteacher Albert(Charles Laughton, who is superb) finds there is something more frightening than his domineering mother(Una O'Connor) when the Nazis occupy his village. As usual, his students do not respect him, even though his fellow schoolteacher Louise(Maureen O'Hara), who he has a crush on, is kind to him but then she is engaged to George(George Sanders), the manager of the railyards where her brother Paul(Kent Smith) works. Regardless, Albert and Louise follow orders and tear out pages in the history books that do not correspond with the Nazis' narrow view of history. Major von Keller(Walter Slezak) just wants everything to be business as usual but then there is a suspicious accident at the railyards... On the surface, there are certain similarities between "This Land Is Mine" and Jean Renoir's previous "Grand Illusion" about camaraderie between supposed enemies. In the six years between the films, the world had changed radically(not to mention the films are about different wars) and while the Nazis in "This Land Is Mine" might at first seem polite and urbane(von Keller certainly knows his Latin), the villagers should never view them as friends, as food shortages and censorship are only the beginning, much worse being hinted at. What Renoir has on his mind is not a recruitment film, but more a call to arms of sorts against tyranny of all shapes and sizes that displays more than one form of courage.(Ostensibly, the movie is set in France but it could be anywhere.) All of which is handled in a nuanced style and is well-filmed, especially its opening shot and two action sequences. While the movie might follow a familiar trajectory with a climactic speech, it is a perfectly eloquent speech.

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Cast

Charles Laughton
as Arthur Lory
Maureen O'Hara
as Louise Martin
George Sanders
as George Lambert
Walter Slezak
as Maj. Erich von Keller
Kent Smith
as Paul Martin
Una O'Connor
as Mrs. Emma Lory
Philip Merivale
as Prof. Sorel
Thurston Hall
as Mayor Henry Manville
George Coulouris
as Prosecuting Attorney
Nancy Gates
as Julie Grant
Ivan Simpson
as Judge
John Donat
as Edmund Lorraine
Frank Alten
as Lt. Schwartz
Leo Bulgakov
as Little Man
Wheaton Chambers
as Mr. Lorraine
Cecil Weston
as Mrs. Lorraine
John Banner
Joan Barclay
as Young Woman
Tommy Bond
as Julian
Sven Hugo Borg
George Carleton
as Jury Foreman
Gordon B. Clark
as Lieutenant
John Dilson
as Mayor's Secretary
Ludwig Donath
as German Captain
Margaret Fealy
as Old Woman
Otto Hoffman
as Printer
Russell Hoyt
George MacQuarrie
as Chief of Police
Edward McNamara
as Policeman
John Rice
Henry Roquemore
as Butcher
Ferdinand Schumann-Heink
as Karl
Hans Schumm
Lester Sharpe
George Sorel
as German Sergeant
Bob Stevenson
Mary Stuart
as Photo Double
Hans Von Morhart
as Soldier Who Gets Slapped
William Yetter Jr.
as Otto
Lloyd Ingraham
as Paper Man in Street
Jack Shea
as Burly Cop
Philip Ahlm
as German Lieutenant
Albert D'Arno
Casey Johnson
as Boy
Hans Moebus
as German Chauffeur
Linda Ann Bieber
as Emily
Oscar Lorraine
as Clerk
Hal Malone
as Bit in Courtroom
Rudolph Myzet
Ida Shoemaker
as Woman in Street
Gus Taillon
as Newsman
Walter Thiele
as German Soldier
Nicholas Vehr
Dr. Martin Jack Rosenblum
as German Captain
Ivan F. Simpson

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This Land Is Mine (1943)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Walter M

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