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Promise at Dawn

Play trailer Poster for Promise at Dawn 2017 2h 11m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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64% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
A man recounts his life, from his childhood through his experiences in World War II, and the story of his self-sacrificing mother, who raised him alone.
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Promise at Dawn

Critics Reviews

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Matt Fagerholm RogerEbert.com Sep 6, 2019
3/4
What's a little surprising, in light of the subject matter's considerable weight, is how funny the film frequently proves to be. Go to Full Review Ben Kenigsberg New York Times Sep 5, 2019
The movie looks and sounds great, but greatness and depth elude it. Go to Full Review Brian D. Johnson Maclean's Magazine Oct 30, 2019
Powered by rivetting performances and fluid, hand-held camera work, La Promesse is a coming-of-age film with an emotional appeal that is honest and unswerving. Go to Full Review Avi Offer NYC Movie Guru Sep 6, 2019
4.93823/10
Overwrought, undercooked and underwhelming with too much narration and over-explaining. Could Charlotte Gainsbourg use some cheese to go with all that ham? Go to Full Review Harvey S. Karten Big Apple Reviews Sep 1, 2019
A-
In a stunning performance, Charlotte Gainsbourg displays all the love and intrusiveness of a Jewish mother, an upbringing that propels her only son Romain Gary into becoming a major French writer, war hero, and ambassador. Go to Full Review Hannah Brown Jerusalem Post Mar 7, 2019
This offbeat, literary biopic... is charming, funny, suspenseful and ultimately moving. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alain E @AlainE Jul 9, 2026 An impressive production of an almost unbelievable true story. A devoted hard charging single mother raises an only child with the deep conviction that he will attain greatness. Which does happen although she is not anymore alive in order to enjoy it. Charlotte Gainsbourg gives a commanding performance. Equally good is Pierre Niney. Includes convincing scenes of air battles in WW II. On Tubi. Now I need to find the earlier version directed by Jules Dassin. See more Chloé T @Mercibeaucouphahaha Dec 29, 2025 Incroyable, l'histoire est passionnante et bouleversante. Je recommande a 100% See more Steve D @RT35616104 Sep 2, 2023 I don't get the hype. See more Susan P Sep 9, 2019 superb acting compelling story. See more garygary Sep 8, 2019 WOW!! French writer Romain Gary has more in common with me that just his pen name, like me he was a Mama's Boy. Sort of a French Hemingway with mostly mommy issues as well as military service in WW2. There was also the command from his Mother: "Go Kill Hitler!" This amazing movie starts during RG's boyhood and continues thru every phase of his amazing life. No shortage of drama, to say the least. RIght now this is playing at the Quad cinema on 13th st in Manhattan (9/6/19). I was able to see the Mom in the movie in person, the great French actor Charlotte Gainsbourg showed up for a post-screening Q&A. What a bonus !! That was a one-time deal but if U know any momma's boys treat them to this movie, they'll love this Momma too! See more Annie G Sep 8, 2019 We enjoy the movie very much,its the story of Romain Gary a very famous French novelist who left Poland with is mother as a child for the south of France, to escape the the arrival of power of Hitler, the love of this mother for her son, who self sacrifice her life and raised him alone, Charlotte Gainsbourg who play the mother show us what a fabulous actress she is. See more Read all reviews
Promise at Dawn

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Cast & Crew

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Eric Barbier

Director

Charlotte Gainsbourg

Nina Kacew

Pierre Niney

Romain Gary

Didier Bourdon

Alex Gubernatis

Jean-Pierre Darroussin

Zaremba

Catherine McCormack

Lesley Blanch
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Promise at Dawn

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Movie Info

Synopsis A man recounts his life, from his childhood through his experiences in World War II, and the story of his self-sacrificing mother, who raised him alone.
Director
Eric Barbier
Producer
Eric Jehelmann, Philippe Rousselet
Screenwriter
Eric Barbier, Marie Eynard, Romain Gary
Production Co
Lorette Cinéma, Umedia, Pathé, TF1 Films Production, Nexus Factory, Jerico
Genre
Drama
Original Language
French (France)
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 27, 2020
Runtime
2h 11m
Aspect Ratio
Digital 2.39:1
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