In Nazi-occupied France, a German officer is assassinated. The Germans demand justice, and the Vichy government is quick to capitulate. Unable to apprehend the actual culprits, Minister of Justice Joseph Barthélémy decides the execution of token Frenchmen will suffice, but the problem is finding judges and jurors eager to participate in a sham trial of innocent men. The solution is a Special Section, a court comprised of individuals handpicked for this exact purpose.
Direction
Costa-Gavras turns administrative meetings into slow-motion nightmares.
Acting
Louis Seigner's bureaucratic monster, smiling through atrocity.
Writing
Dialogue so banal it chills — evil in committee form.
Director
Costa-Gavras
Louis Seigner
Le garde des Sceaux Joseph Barthélémy
Michael Lonsdale
Pierre Pucheu - le ministre de l'intérieur
Claude Piéplu
Bénon - le président de la section spéciale
Pierre Dux
Le procureur général Cavarroc
Heinz Bennent
Le major Beumelburg
Michel Galabru
Le président Cournet
Roland Bertin
Georges Dayras
Hans Richter
Le général Otto von Stülpnagel
Julien Bertheau
L'avocat général Victor Dupuich
Yves Robert
Émile Bastard
Bruno Cremer
Lucien Sampaix
Jacques Perrin
Roger Lafarge
Henri Serre
Préfet Ingrand
Julien Guiomar
Le substitut général Tétaud
Ivo Garrani
L'amiral François Darlan
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on real 1941 events; the actual Special Section existed and executed 45 people before disbanding.
Released during France's reckoning with collaboration, it was banned from Cannes — too close to bone.
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