1939-1940: A Strange Defeat (2026)
In late summer 1939, the French learned that Adolf Hitler had attacked Poland. On September 3, France entered the war, twenty years after the carnage of World War I. Although France was considered the world’s leading military power, with a vast empire and a powerful ally in the United Kingdom, everyone was overcome with a sense of dread. Yet the fighting would not begin until May 1940 and would end with France’s defeat in June. How did the French people experience those few months—among the most decisive and darkest in the country’s history?
Director: Antoine Vitkine
Genre: Documentary, History, War
Runtime: 95 min
Release Date: June 21, 2026
Cast
- Jean-Pierre Darroussin - Narrator (voice over)
Original Language: fr
Themes
World War II: Global Conflict, Ancient Evolution and Nature Origins
Keywords
france, germany, world war ii, defeat, antisemitism, nazism, nazi germany, documentary, history, archives, true, 1939, 1940
Similar Movies
More Films by Director: Antoine Vitkine
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is 1939-1940: A Strange Defeat about?
- In late summer 1939, the French learned that Adolf Hitler had attacked Poland. On September 3, France entered the war, twenty years after the carnage of World War I. Although France was considered the world’s leading military power, with a vast empire and a powerful ally in the United Kingdom, everyone was overcome with a sense of dread. Yet the fighting would not begin until May 1940 and would end with France’s defeat in June. How did the French people experience those few months—among the most decisive and darkest in the country’s history?
- Who directed 1939-1940: A Strange Defeat?
- 1939-1940: A Strange Defeat was directed by Antoine Vitkine.
- Who stars in 1939-1940: A Strange Defeat?
- 1939-1940: A Strange Defeat stars Jean-Pierre Darroussin.
- How long is 1939-1940: A Strange Defeat?
- 1939-1940: A Strange Defeat has a runtime of 1h 35m (95 minutes).
- What genre is 1939-1940: A Strange Defeat?
- 1939-1940: A Strange Defeat is a Documentary, History, War film.
- What are the themes of 1939-1940: A Strange Defeat?
- The themes of 1939-1940: A Strange Defeat include: World War II: Global Conflict, Ancient Evolution and Nature Origins.