Numerootno A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

Griff Lees Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

Zandra The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Raymond Sierra The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

dlee2012 When most people review this film, the context in which it was made is foremost in their minds. Given Vichy control of the French film industry, it is no surprise much attention has been given to the fact that the hero and heroine are both statuesque Aryan figures and that the villain is a dwarf. Nonetheless, Cocteau adds a certain subversive feel to the film and it is certainly his darkest work. The separation of the lovers can be read to reflect the chaos in France after the invasion and the ironically-named Achilles' treachery could symbolise either the Vichy or the Resistance.Aside from political interpretations, Cocteau's attempt to re-set the Tristan and Isolde myth in contemporary France is surprisingly effective. The film's title is a play on words - not only does it refer to Tristan's return but to the notion of history repeating itself. Cocteau believed the story to be an archetypal myth, hence the conceit of setting it in the modern world - it is a story that returns over and over. The plausible way in which he tells it as now involving a feud over an inheritance lends credence to this assertion.Madeleine Sologne is perfectly cast and is perhaps the first modern beauty in European cinema. The sparse, angular sets and rudimentary lighting serve to emphasise the poetic nature of the story rather than distract from it and the story unfurls at a satisfying pace. The narrative is sparse; only the bare bones of the Tristan and Isolde myth are shown here but this works to emphasise the emotional impulses that radiate out from the very heart of the story.Cocteau's mature style is already evident here so aficionados of his work will find this film a deeply-satisfying retelling of the timeless Tristan and Isolde myth.

chill1019 I see the Nazi references, but there are subtle subliminal messages being sent to the French people who were under the jackboot of Nazi oppression. It was not a proud time for them. Remember that during the Middle Ages, Vikings invaded France from the North. The men from the North who became the Normans finally assimilated nicely with the people living in northern France. Men who were expert sailors learned farming and the language of the "French". Re-telling the Tristan story always seemed to me to be a way to reach the soul of the French. It's a way to remind them of the time of the brave knight who comes to the rescue of his lady. The blondness of Patrice and Nathalie could be a reference to the Normans. They are both orphans of the sea and the death scene with both of them positioned perfectly on a boat(linked eternally)with the skies parting to bring them up to heaven is very reminiscent of the French epic poem "Chanson de Roland". It also reminds me of a dead Viking warrior being cast out to sea on his burning boat. A film to be enjoyed on many levels and a way to appease the Aryan loving Nazis while resonating with the proud history of the French.

dbdumonteil The first Cocteau/Delannoy collaboration.That would not be the only one ("la Princesse de Clèves,1961).Like "les Visiteurs du Soir" ,"l'Eternel Retour" was the typical Occupation movie : a way to keep reality away .But whereas Carné's work was hailed as an attack against Hitler (Jules Berry's devil was supposed to represent the Fuhrer),Cocteau-Delannoy's fans was sometimes accused of germanophilia.But with hindsight,it's talking nonsense:even if Patrice was a fair-haired Tristan,Jean Marais joined the army and he fought against Nazi Germany.One thing for sure: Jean Marais made his sweater fashionable,and Madeleine Sologne did the same with her hairdo.This is the "Tristan and Isolde" legend transposed to the contemporary era.Tristan becomes Patrice,Isolde becomes Nathalie (one of the two Nathalie because,like in the story,there are two of them),King Mark simply turns into "Oncle Marc".The dwarf,Frossin,is also featured and is played by Piéral who also appeared in "La Princesse de Clèves" and many historical films.This is really a good directing job by Jean Delannoy,too often slagged off by the Young Turks of the New Wavelet.The castle and the misty banks of the lake are haunting.And Jean Marais is ideally cast as Patrice/Tristan.If you are interested in the FRench cinema,this is essential viewing.

QwikBall I thought this film was genius. For this implicit portrayal of Nazi politics to be made in Vichy France is astounding. The sinister Achille is one of the most shockingly real characters I've ever seen. If you speak French, see this movie (do NOT rely on the subtitling...it's shoddy).