Introduction

Based on a true story, this film is set during the occupation of France during World War II and centres on a British woman named Mary Lindell (Judy Davis).

Also known as The Story of Mary Lindell (working title, US).

Outline

Mary Lindell works for the French Red Cross in occupied France during World War II and helps Allied airmen who have been shot down to escape to the unoccupied side. Her activities are complicated by her high profile and her daughter’s love affair with a German officer.

Cast

• Judy Davis … Countess Mary Lindell
• Sam Neill … Major James Leggatt, The Guards
• Anthony Higgins … SS Capt. Herman Gruber
• Christien Anholt … Maurice Lindell, Mary’s Son
• Kate Beckinsale … Barbe Lindell
• Denholm Elliott … Father LeBlanc
• Frank Middlemass … Dubois
• David Ryall … Dumont, Mary’s Lawyer
• Peter Cellier … Court General

Trivia

• First film of Mark Strong.
• First film of Kate Beckinsale.
• This film represents the first re-teaming of Judy Davis and Sam Neill since they starred together in the classic Australian film, My Brilliant Career (1979).
  • They would also later both appear in Children of the Revolution (1996).
• The end credits indicate that this film was based on the book ‘No Drums … No Trumpets’ by Barry Wynne, and that Mary Lindell, its subject, won her second Croix de Guerre from the French government for her activities during World War II.
  • Lindell had also received one for her actions with the French Red Cross during World War I.
  • The statement also says that she represents one of the extraordinary escape stories of World War II.

Production & Filming Details

• Director(s):
  • Larry Elikann
• Producer(s):
  • Jacqueline Adler … co-producer
  • William Hill … producer
  • Karen Mack … executive producer
  • Tom Reeve … producer
  • Sally Robinson … supervising producer (as Sally Beth Robinson)
• Writer(s):
  • Chris Bryant … (written by)
• Music:
  • Lee Holdridge
• Cinematography:
  • Dennis C. Lewiston
• Editor(s):
  • Peter V. White
• Production:
  • Centurion
  • Delux Productions
  • Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions
  • Karen Mack Productions
• Distributor(s):
  • Republic Pictures (Canada, 1991)(theatrical)
  • CBS (Canada, 1991)(TV)
  • CBS (United States, 1991)(TV)
  • Myndform (Iceland, 1992)(theatrical)
  • Republic Pictures (United States, 1991)(theatrical)
  • BBC Two (United Kingdom, 1997)(TV)
  • NHK Sôgô (Japan, 1993)(TV)
• Release Date: 01 December 1991 (US).
• Running Time: 96 minutes.
• Rating: PG.
• Country: US.
• Language: English.

Video Link(s)