Propaganda film glorifying Madagascan Resistance workers fighting against the Pétainist colonial power.


A fictional French propaganda film made in England concerning the brief, heroic career of a Madagascan resister.


A short textual introduction stresses the veracity of the story and admits that it will surprise no-one as such stories are common in France. Using the dressing-room discussion of three members of the Théâtre Molière as a frame, Hitchcock recounts the tale of Jean Michel, the villain of the piece, and of Clarus, the hero. After Pétain's historic broadcast in June 1940 the citizens of Madagascar gather to offer resistance, But Michel persuades them to await Pétain's orders, whereupon many leave the island by night. Clarus, an active resister, is betrayed and sentenced to life imprisonment. Michel attempts to make a deal with him, in order to discover the whereabouts of the resister's transmitter and their code. Clarus refuses. Clarus is eventually freed by a British ship and goes on to broadcast to Madagascan resisters. Newsreel footage is used to show the British liberation of the island - an event portrayed as uncomplicated and peaceful. Michel pragmatically replaces the Vichy paraphernalia in his office with pro-British objects.

Director: Alfred Hitchcock (Royaume-Uni)
Script: Angus MacPhail

FILM TITLE: AVENTURE MALGACHE [Main]
PRODUCTION DATE: 1944
PRODUCTION COUNTRY: GB
PRODUCTION COMPANY: Phoenix Films

NOTES:
Apparently, the film was never shown in France.


ACCESS CONDITIONS: IWM
FILM / VIDEO FORMAT: P 1/35/A
NUMBER OF REELS: 3
LENGTH: 2811 ft
RUNNING TIME: 33 mins
BLACK & WHITE / COLOUR: B&W
SILENT / SOUND: comopt
LANGUAGE OF SOUNDTRACK: French
LANGUAGE OF MAIN TITLES: French
LANGUAGE OF SUBTITLES: None

Distribution/Distributor :
Imperial War Museum ; tél. : 44 171 416 5291 ; fax : 44 171 416 5379 ; e-mail : film@iwm.org.uk
FILM NUMBER: COI 951