Movierilz | De Gaulle: Simon Abkarian Defies Hitler in 1940
De Gaulle: Résistance is an upcoming biographical and historical drama based on Charles de Gaulle, especially during the most important political and military periods of his life.
Directed by Antonin Baudry, the film will be released in two parts. The first part, focusing on the start of World War II and the birth of the Free French Forces, will be released in November 2026.
During the German invasion of 1940, the French government is close to an armistice with Germany. Refusing to accept the terms of the armistice, General de Gaulle, leaves for London. In London, he tries to reorganize the Free French Forces, and gain support for his political and military movement among the exiled French, the British and French authorities, and finally, the French army.
Part I of Antonin Baudry's major feature film project focuses on De Gaulle's wartime evolution and exemplifies Britain and France's alliance during World War II.
Its limited theatrical release in the U.S. starts November 4, 2026 through Samuel Goldwyn Films.
For readers encountering the film through searches involving movie rulz, it is important to understand that this is a dramatized historical feature rather than a documentary.
France Faces Defeat in June 1940
The movie focuses on Charles de Gaulle during a pivotal event in French history.
Upon the collapse of France in the face of the German blitzkrieg, the existing French government pursues an armistice. General de Gaulle, at that time a relatively less known general, is convinced that France should continue to fight.
He goes to London and starts a new political and military movement. This ultimately gives birth to the Free French Forces.
Historical figures and events are accurate, but the conversations and scenes reenacted are created for the screen.
Simon Abkarian Plays Charles de Gaulle
Simon Abkarian plays the main role as Charles de Gaulle.
The film shows him before the world recognized him as the figure associated with postwar France.
In 1940, he has comparatively less political power.
Thus, it is not just opposing Nazi Germany that is his challenge. He must also convince others that he has the right and the power to speak for France whose official government has taken a different path.
According to the American French Film Festival, the film, shows De Gaulle in London organizing resistance and the Free French. (Festival de Cinema Franco-Americano)
Therefore, Abkarian's performance takes on a very political tone.
De Gaulle is in need of resources, backing and support, while events around him are very fluid and moving rapidly.
Simon Russell Beale as Winston Churchill
Simon Russell Beale plays Churchill.
Churchill plays an important role in De Gaulle's time in London, as Britain was the political and practical country that afforded the Free French the opportunity to begin their activities.
The film does not show their relationship as automatically friendly.
While they both are focused on continuing the war with Germany, this doesn't mean their French and British priorities and interests are aligned.
The cast also includes Benoît Magimel as General Pierre Koenig, Loïc Corbery as René Pleven, Niels Schneider as Philippe Leclerc and Florian Lesieur as Fernand Bonnier de La Chapelle. (Festival de Cinema Franco-Americano)
For audiences that come to the film through pirate sites like movierulzfilm, this large historical ensemble is important because the movie goes well beyond the two-person de Gaulle-Churchill drama.
Antonin Baudry Directs the 160-minute Epic
Baudry co-wrote the screenplay with Bérénice Vila and directed De Gaulle: Résistance.
The movie is partially based on the historical research of scholar Julian Jackson. Pierre Cottereau and Giora Bejach were the film's cinematographers, while Volker Bertelmann wrote the original score. (Festival de Cinema Franco-Americano)
The completed film runs for 160 minutes.
The long running time reflects the scope of the story which goes beyond the initial escape to London and shows the difficult process of transforming a resistance movement into a structured and legitimate political and military organization.
Pathé and TF1 Films Production are the main production companies of the film, along with other European production companies. (Cineuropa)
The film had its premiere at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, outside the Competition. (Cineuropa)
The Film Shows Resistance Taking Shape
One of the main themes of De Gaulle: Résistance is to show that a resistance movement doesn't just pop up fully formed and organized.
Initially De Gaulle has few means and even less authority.
But little by little supporters and partisans in the French empire, as well as politicians and soldiers begin to rally behind the movement.
The movie takes us through that process in London, France, and various African territories.
This provides the film a larger perspective than depicting De Gaulle giving speeches.
It shows how political legitimacy is constructed during a time of national crisis and how the people of a nation decide what authority they consider to represent them.
Because the film dramatizes wartime events, there are sequences involving conflict and danger, but its main concern is political leadership and resistance, more than describing and portraying the physical acts of fighting.
De Gaulle: Résistance is an epic portrayal of one of the greatest political figures of the 20th century.
Samuel Goldwyn Films will release it in select theaters in the US on November 4, 2026. (Box Office Mojo)
The film opened in France on June 3, 2022, and later released in other European and international theaters. (Unifrance)
Simon Abkarian plays Charles de Gaulle, Antonin Baudry directs, and Simon Russell Beale plays Winston Churchill.
Running for about 2 hours and 40 minutes, the movie shows a historical transformation.
It depicts the story of De Gaulle from when he was a general, and was politically isolated due to his inability to accept France's defeat in WWII.