Franco-German Film Series Le combat dans l'ile Fire and Ice

Le combat dans l’île (Fire and ice)
France 1962, 104 mins
Dir: Alain Cavalier. Cast: Romy Schneider, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Henri Serre.
French with English subtitles

Alain Cavalier’s Le combat dans l’île is a rediscovered masterwork of the French Nouvelle Vague and was produced by Louis Malle as a criticism of Jean-Luc Godard and other then-right wing Nouvelle Vague directors, who supported the French occupation of Algeria and the OAS’ campaign of terrorism and assassination in mainland France.

The son of a French industrialist, Clément (Jean-Louis Trintignant) is a right wing extremist who belongs to a secret militant organization which uses whatever means necessary, including violence, to achieve its goals. His wife Anne (Romy Schneider), a former German actress who gave up her career to be his doting wife, knows something of his extremist views, and suspects he would indeed kill if need be, because of what she finds hidden in their house. He often treats her poorly, especially out in public as she maintains the façade of her former celebrity. Regardless, she is compelled to stay in the marriage. After Clément and a right wing colleague assassinate a Communist figure, he hides out with Anne in the country home of Paul, a childhood friend who knows nothing about Clément's extremist views. Clément is forced to leave to pursue a mission, leaving Anne behind. Without him around, Anne returns to her old life in the theatre and starts a relationship with Paul. But Clément eventually returns, much to Paul and Anne's chagrin, and he will not give up his wife without incident.