A beautifully restored 1969 French film, "Army of Shadows," opens at the Sunrise Theater in Southern Pines on Monday, Nov. 20, for a three-night engagement.

The director is Jean-Pierre Melville. The movie is based on a book written in 1943 by Joseph Kessel. Melville, an accomplished director, first read the book the year it was published and nurtured a desire to bring the story to film for 25 years.

"Army of Shadows," became his third film about the French Resistance of which he had been a part.

The film was never released in this country. Combining elements of the suspense films for which Melville is known, "Army of Shadows" opens with a memorable shot of German soldiers marching down the Champs-Elysees past the Arc de Triomphe.

Having thus set up the emotional landscape of an occupied country, the film follows the harrowing feats of a small band of Resistance fighters who risk everything to oppose this occupation. This includes character Philippe Gerbier, an ordinary man who finds himself in the center of extraordinary events.

The film stars Lino Ventura and Simone Signoret.

"Army of Shadows" runs Monday, Nov. 20, through Wednesday, Nov. 22, at 7:30 p.m. The film is in French with new English subtitles. It is not rated and runs 140 minutes.

The Sunrise Theater is located at 250 NW Broad Street and ticket prices are $7 for adults, $6 for matinees, and $5 for children less than 12. Sparkling water, beer, wine, sodas, candy and nuts, and delicious popcorn with real butter are available. Movies at the Sunrise are commercial free.

Contact the theater at (910)692-3611 or www.sunrise theater.com.