House of 1000 Women

In the darkest hours of World War II, France falls to the Germans and all English women in the country are rounded-up and forced into internment camps. Fearful of being deported to the Gestapo's brothels, over 2,000 English women bide their time in an aging chateau which serves as their prison. Females of all walks of life and classes are thrown together and forced to live a humiliating existence where they must beg for even the most basic privileges. Freda, who hides a treacherous secret, is an journalist who had lived a posh existence writing human interest stories for the dailies. She spars with sultry and free-loving Bridie, who is willing to trade her affections for black market goods. New prisoner Rose finds herself leading the underground when two RAF pilots crash behind enemy lines and seek aid in getting back to England.

House Of 1000 Women, mixing melodrama and mordant humor, is a stirring and provocative portrait of a remarkable community of women bravely facing the indignities and challenges of life in Nazi- occupied Europe. A great ensemble cast of some of the best British character actresses of the day make this film a uniquely fascinating time-capsule from the early 1940s.

• drama