The Jewish people faced many dark moments in its long and troubled history. What happened in the night of July 16, 1942 in Paris - the arrest of more than ten thousand Jews, men and women, young, old and children, their detention at the Velodrome d'Hiver, followed by their deportation to transit camps in France and then to the death camps in Poland - was one of these dark moments. It is for the French nation however that I dare say this was maybe the darkest moment in their history. Never has France - or at least modern France - abandoned the principles of tolerance and generosity to the weak and prosecuted who knocked at its gates as did that night Petain, Laval and the other collaborationists who were accomplices to the sending to hell and death of so many innocent people.I have used a few film reviews back the term of 'docu-melodrama' and I guess that I can use it here as well, adding maybe the adjective 'historical' in front. 'La Raffle' ambitiously retraces the story of a few Jewish families of all conditions living in Paris at the time of the German occupation in 1942 and falling victim to the deeds of the German occupiers and of their French collaborators. Although the characters may be fictional the stories are essentially true, and the film starts with a written message attesting the historic accuracy of all the extreme situations that are being described. The fiction parts are interleaved with a few documentary sequences, as well as with re-enacted scenes from the headquarters of the German army and French police, of the discussions between the French leader Petain and prime minister Laval, and between Hitler himself, his faithful executioner Himmler and other people in his entourage. The script written by Rose Bosch (who also directed) takes good care to balance the acts of the 'bad' and 'good' French but the horror of the situation of the descent of a whole people from trust and hope into fear and despair is the strong message that cannot get lost.There is great acting to be admired in this film - first of all Jean Reno as the Jewish physician trying to face an impossible situation, alleviate sufferings, save lives, while knowing about his own faith. Melanie Laurent is sensible and credible in the role of the nurse that aims to represent what was left good and human among the French in those times. Some of the supporting roles are also memorable such as the Trotskyst family father played by Gad Elmaleh, a victim of a double disillusion. I liked less the historic background scenes, especially the ones related to Hitler's environment, and the actor playing Hitler who was badly miscast and directed, undecided whether he should be evil or operetta-ic. Overall the film has however very strong scenes, some of the best in the Holocaust movies and asks the right questions about the French role in the tragedy of its Jews. Is this melodrama? yes - but very strong and well made, impressing to tears and nothing is wrong with this - there are no bad genres, just bad movies and La Raffle is certainly not among them.

Mélanie Laurent is convincing. At the time of this review the rating averaged 6.9, so it has crept up from what it was earlier, as I can tell by reading other user reviews; I think it has a fair result considering other movies on the subject. Speaking of the subject, the Vel' d'Hiv Roundup of 1942, it is an historical fact (easy to check on Wikipedia). This movie highlights the children's fate more than the rest and the actors in those roles did a pretty good job. Because we see children being torn from their parents and being brought to be killed as they were, it is a difficult movie to watch, how can it not. Some reviewers complain about the numerous movies on the subject of the holocaust; there have been genocides before WWII and more even since, so as long as there are, there must be movies on the subject. Books and encyclopedias can relate facts etc., but motion pictures about genocides do a far better job at conveying the horror and the evil it is. Two movies were produced and released in 2010 on the Vel' d'Hiv Roundup of 1942, the other being 'Sarah's Key'; I hope as many people as possible see at least one of them, because I for one understand how movies help shape the thinking of a generation.

On 06 June 1942, the government of Vichy makes a deal with the Nazis and delivers thousands of Jewish families to be sent to the concentration Camp of Beaune-La-Rolande, Loiret and then to the crematories."La Rafle" is another touching and heartbreaking film that shows the fate of some Jewish families that are removed by force from their homes to the final destination of a crematory. The cruelty of the fate of the Jewish in occupied Europe in the 40's is composed of millions of tragic stories; therefore films about this theme are always extremely sad and usually well-produced, shaking with the emotions of any sensitive viewer.This new approach of the Holocaust, based on what happened in France under the complacence of the French politicians and authorities, is very sad since it shows the destiny of thousand of children that are first separated from their mothers and then send to death. It is cruel but never comparable to the "Sophia's Choice", for me the most depressive film about mother and children relationship ever made. My vote is six.Title (Brazil): "Amor e Ódio" ("Love and Hate")

The Roundup is a must see movie even beyond its historical mission. The interpretation of the actors is excellent. Its quiet difficult to remain indifferent in front such a tragedy, a tragedy so unfair for these innocent people. French they were, but apparently not enough for the French police, with the Vichy regime headed by a man, Philippe Petain, which is known today to have done nothing to protect Jews. Quite the contrary by the way. With his henchmen, they have not mounted the raid in order to meet German demands, but to give pledges to antisemites of all stripes who supported this worthy scheme. I recommend these movie.