De Gaulle, histoire d'un géant

Half a century after Charles de Gaulle's death, this documentary pieces together the arc of his life, from his 1890 birth to his 1970 burial at Colombey-Les-Deux-Eglises. It arranges archival images, contemporary voiceovers and reenacted moments to chart the stages that made him a defining figure of 20th century France. The film follows his early military formation, the drama of 1940 and the radio appeals that rallied resistance, then moves into his political return and the creation of the Fifth Republic. It keeps the focus on events and decisions rather than sensational details, letting speeches, documents and testimony show how his personality and convictions influenced the nation.

Directed by Jean-Pierre Cottet and released in 2020, the project credits Éric Roussel, Patrick Duhamel and Yves de Gaulle among its creators. Bernard Farcy appears as Charles de Gaulle on screen, with Denis Podalydès providing voice work, blending dramatic presence with historical material.

Concrete box office figures for this documentary aren't widely reported, which is common for films of its kind. Its distribution was primarily aimed at French audiences and viewers with an interest in modern history, with screenings that emphasized educational and commemorative contexts.

As a piece about one of France's most visible leaders, the film contributes to ongoing public reflection on national memory and leadership. It revisits familiar episodes in ways that may prompt fresh conversation about statecraft, civilian authority and the shadow of wartime choices, especially among audiences who grew up with De Gaulle as a political reference point.

Critical and audience response has leaned positive on niche platforms, with an average user rating of 7.5 out of 10 from a small number of votes. The documentary underscores themes of duty, national sovereignty and institutional legacy, aiming to offer a clear-eyed portrait rather than hagiography, and it should appeal to viewers interested in history, politics and the evolution of modern France.