Départ à zéro

During World War II, a devoted wife supports her husband's decision to enlist in the military, despite his deep-seated fear of flying. As he endures rigorous training and experiences the realities of war, their love is tested by separation, danger, and his internal struggles.

Frank Borzage's "Départ à zéro" was a moderately well-received wartime drama, praised for its emotional depth and strong performances, particularly from Claudette Colbert and Ray Milland. While it captured the anxieties of the era, some critics found its narrative somewhat conventional for the genre.

• Praised for its heartfelt portrayal of sacrifice and resilience during wartime.

• Claudette Colbert and Ray Milland deliver compelling performances that anchor the emotional narrative.

• The film effectively captures the anxieties and personal costs of war.

Google audience: Audience reception is difficult to ascertain due to the film's age, but contemporary reviews generally appreciated its sincerity and patriotic themes, though some found it melodramatic.

The film's original title was 'The Sky's the Limit' before being changed to 'Départ à zéro' for its French release, which is the title by which it is now predominantly known.