A tale based on true filmmaking conditions in France during Nazi occupation. Real-life characters. Filmmaker Jean-Devaivre (a friend of Tavernier) disliked the product, which gave more importance to the real-life scriptwriter Jean Aurenche than him. Devaivre's family even sued Tavernier demanding part of the profits, when initially Devaivre did not want any money. Won two Silver Bears at Berlin but the film is not one of the better works of Tavernier.
The most amusing part of the film is Aurenche accessing an important Nazi file and being flown to Britain, where the British intelligence is only interested in how he acquired it rather than reading the file. And that part is not fiction.
The most amusing part of the film is Aurenche accessing an important Nazi file and being flown to Britain, where the British intelligence is only interested in how he acquired it rather than reading the file. And that part is not fiction.