Sacrifice of Honor
Veille d'armes
Synopsis
Before the Battle is the English-language title of this espionage melodrama. The first half of the film takes place aboard a French cruising ship, steaming through dangerous waters during WWI. Among the passengers is heroine Jeanne (Annabella), who was once in love with first-officer D'Artelles (Robert Vidalin) but he now seems strangely preoccupied. It turns out that the ship is on a secret mission, which ultimately dooms the vessel to a Lusitania-like death. After the sinking, Captain De Corlaix (Victor Francen) faces a court-martial, and it is at this point that the film clarifies several baffling plot points. Despite its complexity, the story is fairly believable, with the exception of the grafted-on romantic subplot.
Top Cast
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Release History & Theatrical Window
Venice Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
December 1, 1938
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Marcel L'Herbier
- Screenplay & Story
- Marcel L'Herbier, Charles Spaak
- Original Title
- Veille d'armes
- Country of Origin
- France
- Spoken Languages
- French
- Runtime
- 1h 20m
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Marcel L'Herbier
Marcel L'Herbier, Charles Spaak, Lucien Nepoty, Claude Farrère
Jules Kruger, Marc Fossard
Department Leadership Roster
Marcel L'Herbier
Director
Marcel L'Herbier
Screenplay
Jules Kruger
Director of Photography
Marc Fossard
Director of Photography
Charles Spaak
Screenplay
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Sacrifice of Honor.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Sacrifice of Honor.
War: World War I
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Volpi Cup for Best Actress (1935–Present)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sacrifice of Honor
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Sacrifice of Honor about?
Before the Battle is the English-language title of this espionage melodrama. The first half of the film takes place aboard a French cruising ship, steaming through dangerous waters during WWI. Among the passengers is heroine Jeanne (Annabella), who was once in love with first-officer D'Artelles (Robert Vidalin) but he now seems strangely preoccupied. It turns out that the ship is on a secret mission, which ultimately dooms the vessel to a Lusitania-like death. After the sinking, Captain De Corlaix (Victor Francen) faces a court-martial, and it is at this point that the film clarifies several baffling plot points. Despite its complexity, the story is fairly believable, with the exception of the grafted-on romantic subplot.
Who directed Sacrifice of Honor?
Sacrifice of Honor was directed by Marcel L'Herbier.
Who stars in Sacrifice of Honor?
The principal cast of Sacrifice of Honor includes Annabella, Victor Francen, Gabriel Signoret, Pierre Renoir, Rosine Deréan.
When was Sacrifice of Honor released and how long is it?
Sacrifice of Honor was released in 1935 with a total runtime of 1h 20m.