SimonJack This is a Hollywood movie made in the middle of World War II. It's a very good portrayal of British and French undercover work during the war, as well as of the French underground. To it's credit, it also shows the betrayal of some of the French, including a double agent and traitors among the underground. The French underground contributed to the Allied efforts against Germany in WW II. But the country also saw a significant collaboration with the Nazis, in the Vichy government, socializing with the Germans, and spies and double agents in the underground. At the time "Assignment in Brittany" was being made, Germany's blockade of the Atlantic was in place. By the end of 1943, when it had ended - due to loss of ships and air support, the Germans had sunk 3,500 merchant ships enroute to the United Kingdom and Russia. Some 175 Allied war ships also had been sunk. Germany lost 783 U-boats and 47 surface ships. There wasn't a specific U-boat base on the coast of France that had to be knocked out, as this movie shows. Rather, Allied bombing raids hit several ports from which U-boats operated. But, most of the U-boat losses were from Allied aircraft and convoy escort ships. The Atlantic battle was one of attrition in which the Allies outlasted the Germans with superior naval power combined with a blockade of Germany from it's Baltic Sea ports. This film has some good action toward the end,. But its best aspect is the portrayal of the French underground and people during the German occupation. The story is an interesting one. Considering that MGM had to shoot the movie on its Hollywood studios, the film has a realistic feel as though it's taking place in Brittany France during the war. The cast all do a fine job and the film quality and production are good. This was the American film debut of both Jean-Pierre Aumont and Signe Hasso. He is Capt. Pierre Metard in the French Army, and goes undercover back into France as a look-alike, Bertrand Corlay. His duty is to pinpoint the hidden German U-boat base so that the Allies can attack and destroy it. The story has an element of romance, but not the obviously usual type that Hollywood inserts to increase appeal for a film. Here are a couple of interesting lines from the movie. Corlay and a schoolteacher, Jean Kerenor (played by Richard Whorf) are going into the town pub when a German guard stops them. Kerenor says, "One uncovers. It's good form for the content." They take their hats off and enter, where town men and German officers are seated at tables. But all others are wearing their hats.To Metard, who impersonates her son, Madame Henriette Corlay says, "There are women, monsieur, who give their love but once. I think Ann's one of them. When you go..." Capt. Metard, "It's not I she loves... it's your son." Mme. Corlay, "I don't think you believe that. Monsieur, don't make her suffer any more."

MartinHafer This is a wartime film obviously intended to bolster the public's resolve. It stars a French expatriate, Jean-Pierre Aumont, who came to Hollywood when his country fell to the Germans. Unfortunately, not too many other French actors were available...and those who SHOULD have had French accents never even tried. So, it's all a bit strange with Aumont the only French person in a film set in a France where everyone has American and British accents!! Just suspend your sense of disbelief and watch.The story is a bit silly but enjoyable. It seems that a French agent cannot go back to his native land for an assignment due to an injury. But, they manage to find a Free-French officer, Pierre (Aumont) who looks a lot like him. And, after a bit of plastic surgery, voila...the man has a double who will do the assignment for him! His job is to locate the secret German submarine bases so they can be destroyed. And, until he locates them, Pierre is to assume the other man's life...living withe man's mother and interacting with his friends. The story that follows is rather typical of a wartime film. However, the Germans are not quite as monstrous as they often were in WWII- era films--as the filmmakers were going more for realism in this instance. Overall, it's enjoyable but a tad dumb. Turn off the part of your brain that questions silly plot lines and you'll no doubt enjoy this generally well made film.

blanche-2 Jean-Pierre Aumont, Susan Peters, Signe Hasso, and Margaret Wycherly star in "Assignment in Brittany," a 1943 film.The story concerns a young man, Capt. Pierre Matard (Aumont), who is sent to France because he is a lookalike of an injured man, Bertrand Corlay (also Aumont) hospitalized in London. The British need to location of a port in Brittany that has destroyed a lot of British ships. Pierre goes to France and impersonates Corlay.Matard knows a great many facts about Corlay but nothing of his cold personality and the fact that he has been playing ball with the Nazis. Bertrand's mother catches on fairly quickly; his girlfriend (Susan Peters) is slower on the draw. Corlay also has a mistress (Hasso), which comes as a surprise. He works with the Free French, all the while trying to keep himself and others out of danger.The last time I saw Jean-Pierre Aumont was in a TV movie called Sins in 1986. He was 75 years old, and I don't think I ever saw him as anything but elderly. Well, boy, what a hunk he was - that beautiful mane of hair, glorious smile, good build - wow.This is a typical black and white film about the war, showing the courage of the people in the French resistance. Everybody was good, and despite a critique of stage mannerisms on this board, I was frankly unaware of it.It was nice to see the lovely Susan Peters as the shy but loving girlfriend of Bernard, who actually falls for his impersonator Matard. Only two years later, she would be in a hunting accident and spend the following 7 years in a wheelchair, until her death in 1952 at the age of 31.Aumont actually fought with the Free French in North Africa. He was widowed in 1951 when his wife, Maria Montez, died of heart failure while sitting in a hot bath. He remarried in 1956, to Marisa Pavan, and stayed married to her until his death 45 years later.Good movie, good suspense, and a young and vital Aumont.

dodi207 I can't remember the exact year, but my mother and I were invited to an evening at the Uptown Theatre in Toronto, Ontario for a special screening of Assignment in Brittany in aid of the Free French movement. It was a very exciting time for me, and Jean Pierre Aumont was there in person. I was 14 or 15 at the time, and I have never forgot the evening. Our tickets were a gift from a french teacher at the Cental High School of Commerce. It was a gala evening, in spite of the fact that war was raging in Europe and the Pacific. I was of an age when I was entranced by movie stars, and to see Mr. Aumont in person was a dream come true. I wonder if there are others who attended that show. Mr. Aumont was introduced, and spoke at length about the Free French movement, and encouraged donations to support them. I enjoyed the picture very much, as did my mother. There was a reception after the screening, where we were introduced to Mr. Aumont, a very gracious man. Perhaps it was the fact that the war had been on for it seemed forever, and the picture showed what ordinary citizens could do to help defeat the enemy. Certainly, although we did not suffer the devastation of actually being occupied or bombed, we were well aware of the loss of our dear family and friends. There were many films made about the war but this seemed special because of the appearance of people who had direct connection with the Free French movement, and we were hearing about it first hand.