Instant Favorite.

Best movie ever!

It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Judy Davis carries this entire movie with one of her many insatiable, unforgettable performances, portraying a real-life WWII resistance heroine, Mary Linden, an English Countess who worked for the French Red Cross in Occupied France and helped allies who had been shot down to escape to unoccupied territory. Her actions are made increasingly difficult because of her high profile and her daughter's tryst with a German officer. That complication is what makes her story so universally relevant and sincere. She is unapologetic, impetuous, and completely uncomplicated, so much so that she would never think of hiding those parts of herself.The way she physically expresses herself is almost masculine, the way she gestures and leans. From the cream of the world's prehistoric dissolution appears this woman's concrete natural liveliness. Selfhood is principal and Judy Davis's portrayal of this character is most involved with its concentration. She is a realist, barely considering sentiment or religious or unworldly matters, which, like all else in her bare-bones view of life, are merely concerns of expediency. She simply is who she is:Look at the early scene when she sees the English Major played by Sam Neill, wounded and wandering in a Paris under enemy control, she does not pause for a second to endanger her life to protect him from suspicious Germans. Thus is the start of her aid to the British and American soldiers in France.The way Davis plays this woman is beyond what words can approximate. She is magnetic, relatable, funny, touching and sexy, all in her simplicity in this buried treasure that reveals in essence what any story of an individual WWII resistance fighter reveals, about being your utmost and paramount self, which is a job that could not be more perfectly suited for Mary Linden.

This was a pretty solid Hallmark Hall Of Fame made-for-TV story about a real- life woman "Countess Mary Lindell" (Judy Davis) who helped Allies during World War II. Many of the military men in need were downed pilots and Lindell would help these men get safely out of occupied France. Her character was a strong one and her resolve to do what she could against the Germans was resolute. Helping her accomplish that were her kids: a son and a daughter (a young Kate Beckinsale!).The story lags in spots or I would have rated it higher. It was well-done but not a film I'd watch numerous times, although I might if they'd issue this on DVD.

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. Sam Neill and Judy Davis are two of my most favorite actors. And to have them in the same film certainly ups the odds it will be excellent. They have been together in other films, but this is by far the best. This movie won the Golden Globe for best TV film, Judy won for best actress in a TV movie, and Sam was nominated. It received an Emmy for one of the technical positions, sound I believe. So, why on earth has it not been released on DVD? I have this movie on VHS, but long for the permanence of DVD, plus hoping there might be extras to savor. There are literally hundreds of thousands of films on DVD whose only worth is as a coaster. Why are the powers that be asleep on this matter?

Baroness Mary Lindell begins smuggling downed Allied pilots out of occupied France after she impulsively rescues an English major from an outdoor café. Her son joins her Resistance operation, but her daughter begins dating a German officer. True story of a British nurse who twice won the Iron Cross for bravery in both world wars.At a time when Hollywood's favorite actresses are girls instead of women, Ms. Davis could eat those actresses for lunch and still have room for dessert. Judy Davis' depiction of Mary Lindell gives a fearless portrayal of what true heroism is. When Ms. Davis is onscreen, all other actresses seem to fade into the background. Watch this absorbing film if you have tired of female characters that substitute eyeshadow for force of personality, giggles for guts. Forget the cinema junk food, this is the real thing. A Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation. Also see Impromptu for another fascinating real-life portrait, Judy Davis as author George Sand.