Bells Without Joy

Story

Synopsis

In November 1942, American troops landed in Tunisia. German paratroopers were immediately launched and occupied Tunis. A French squadron of chasseurs d'Afrique was sent to Medjez-el Bab with the mission of occupying the bridge over the Medjerda. But the captain is mute and the cavalrymen don't know whether the operation is being prepared against the Germans or the Allies. The first hypothesis inflames Maréchal des Logis Bourgeon and his friend Maurice, who have not forgotten the defeat of '40. In the village, Maurice meets up with his friend Léa, a refugee, and discovers with fury that she is Jewish, because he doesn't like Jews any more than he likes English or Germans! The hunters set up camp on the bridge. Soon, a German column appears and demands passage. The captain refuses, awaiting orders from Vichy. But in Tunis, confusion reigns. Finally, the captain himself takes the initiative to oppose the passage of the German troops...

Director

Charles Brabant

Writers

Charles Bourgeon, Denys de La Patellière, Charles Brabant

Language

French

Country

France, Italy

Release date

20 April 1962

Ensemble

Cast

• 

  Dany Carrel

  Léa

• 

  Raymond Pellegrin

  Charles Bourgeon

• 

  Roger Hanin

  Maurice

• 

  Paul Meurisse

  Captain of Lambérieux

• 

  Georges Wilson

  Léa's father

• 

  Roger Dumas

  Adolphe Charlier, aka 'le môme'

• 

  Nane Germon

  Léa's mother

• 

  Louis Seigner

  Colonel of the Fourth R.C.A.

• 

  Betty Schneider

  Betty

• 

  Raymond Meunier

  Legionnaire

• 

  Harald Wolff

  Commander von Ulbricht

• 

  Karl Schönböck

  Ambassador