It seems strange to give a 3 to a movie with such fine talent in it: Charles Laughton, Maureen O'Hara, Walter Slezak, George Sanders, Jean Renoir. But this just isn't a good movie. Worse, it's a confusing and very disappointing movie, given the talent at hand.The biggest problem, for me, was Laughton's initial character. He is portrayed as a cringing coward, a "man" completely unable to control his fear of violence and loud noise. He cowers like the most spineless of worms during an air raid, and clings to his mother, though he is a middle aged man. This makes him extremely unsympathetic.Then, at the end, we are supposed to believe that the sight of ten men being shot by a Nazi firing squad is able to transform him into the most heroic of men. Everything, including his cringing demeanor, changes 180 degrees.He could well have been played as Pierre Average, not getting involved in the Resistance attacks on the occupier until he was moved by the shootings. But the transformation from abject coward to mighty hero is simply too great, and too unprepared, to be moving.There are also historical inaccuracies, but nothing really glaring.The argument of this movie is very noble, very well-meaning: to show that, despite the Armistice, there are indeed Frenchmen who are still fighting the Germans, so the U.S. should indeed come to their rescue. But this argument is not made convincingly, so it doesn't have the effect it was trying for. Even movies like *Reunion in France* do a better job of this.

great cast. interesting script. noble message. touching story of love and honor. for discover it in deep sense it is useful to remember the year of its birth. a film about war from the war period. this little detail could transforms the dialogs and the story in more than pieces from a lost age, pathetic or almost fake, ridiculous or out of our period manner to discover reality. it remains touching for the science to present the soul of a moment in honest manner. for the splendid performance by Charles Laughton, for George Sanders and his character's vulnerability and, sure, for Maureen O'Hara as the strong woman. nothing surprising in each performance but the large picture is touching and convincing. because its subject is the ordinary every day life, its values, sacrifices and metamorphoses. more than a film, a manifesto. or only reminder about what is real important.

this land is mine is timeless and a cautionary tale for today. previous revues of this film were offered either before our recent economic crash or very early on when we didn't know the depth of the calamity. now, in the ensuing years, it is becoming clear collaboration exists and requires no occupying enemy. despite the movie was propaganda, it was propaganda of the best kind. the entire film was without theatrics nor a punch-to-the solar plexus message as evidenced in the Laughton soliloquy; the clear measured tenor of a man who has found his heart and courage. casting of the supporting players was inspired. in a film with perhaps three or four second and third part players it may be easy enough to recruit a strong supporting cast but this movie had so many important roles the casting seems a minor miracle.kudos to all concerned in this gem. the one misstep, if i may be so picky, was the crescendo-ing close as the screen went black.

because of the finishing speeches by Laughton, this is, by far, the best film Renoir ever did. Now, there something very special with Renoir. Films like La Grande Illusion and La règle du jeu are usually regarded as his best films, but these films are not courageous and do more to defend the status quo than to attack it any way. These films only make sense if you are willing to accept the status quo of the present abomination of market economy as unchangeable and that we may never get rid of the business-men in our midst. here, is instead a film, done in the middle of WWII, which firmly takes a stand against collaboration and, in the speeches by Laughton, gives good explanation how such collaboration is possible - not forgetting the root of the evil, "the business-men". This was a strong film yesterday and still is, if looked upon wisely.