13 Days in France

13 Days in France

1968 · 112 min · ★ 6.7 · Documentary, History

This colorful documentary chronicles the events of the 1968 Winter Olympics in France. The events made international celebrities of skater Peggy Fleming and skier Jean-Claude Killy for their gold-medal performances. The camera accurately catches the speed of bobsleds and downhill racers and ski jumpers as they race for the gold. President Charles DeGaulle is shown observing the action over 13 days, which saw France earn the best performance to date in the winter games.

Directed by Claude Lelouch · Written by Pierre Uytterhoeven

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Streaming

Criterion Channel

Rent or Buy

Apple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At Home

Cast

Make it a double feature

3h 34m together

13 Days in France

A Man and a Woman

Both from Claude Lelouch.

100 Years of Olympic Films: 1912–2012See all →

The 1924 Chamonix Olympic GamesThe 1924 Chamonix Olympic Games · 1924
The 1924 Chamonix Olympic Games
5.41924
MovieDocumentary
A documentary covering the Olympic Games at Chamonix in 1924.
The Olympic Games as They Were Practiced in Ancient GreeceThe Olympic Games as They Were Practiced in Ancient Greece · 1924
The Olympic Games as They Were Practiced in Ancient Greece
5.11924
MovieDocumentary
A documentary on the Olympic games of ancient Greece, made during the 1924 games.
The Olympic Games in Paris 1924The Olympic Games in Paris 1924 · 1925
The Olympic Games in Paris 1924
5.71925
MovieDocumentary
A documentary on the 1924 Olympic Game in Paris.
The White StadiumThe White Stadium · 1928
The White Stadium
7.41928
MovieDocumentary
A profile of the 1928 Olympic Games in St. Moritz, Switzerland.
The Olympic Games, Amsterdam 1928The Olympic Games, Amsterdam 1928 · 1928
The Olympic Games, Amsterdam 1928
5.41928
MovieDocumentary
A documentary on the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam.
The IX Olympiad in AmsterdamThe IX Olympiad in Amsterdam · 1928
The IX Olympiad in Amsterdam
5.21928
MovieDocumentary
A documentary on the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam. Made by Istituto Luce, there is an understandable focus on Italian athletes, but it is the first Olympic documentary that describes the techniques of certain events.
Youth of the WorldYouth of the World · 1936
Youth of the World
5.91936
MovieDocumentary
This Nazi propaganda film covers the 1936 Winter Olympics that were held in Germany.
XIVth Olympiad: The Glory of SportXIVth Olympiad: The Glory of Sport · 1948
XIVth Olympiad: The Glory of Sport
6.61948
MovieDocumentary
A documentary covering the 1948 Olympic Games in St. Moritz, Switzerland, and London, England.
Fight Without HateFight Without Hate · 1948
Fight Without Hate
6.31948
MovieDocumentary
A documentary covering the 1948 Olympic Games in St. Moritz.
Where the World MeetsWhere the World Meets · 1952
Where the World Meets
6.01952
MovieDocumentary
A first part of a documentary on the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki.
The VI Olympic Winter Games, Oslo 1952The VI Olympic Winter Games, Oslo 1952 · 1952
The VI Olympic Winter Games, Oslo 1952
5.81952
MovieDocumentary
A documentary covering the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway.
Gold and GloryGold and Glory · 1953
Gold and Glory
6.01953
MovieDocumentary
A second part of a documentary covering the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki.
Memories of the Olympic Summer of 1952Memories of the Olympic Summer of 1952 · 1954
Memories of the Olympic Summer of 1952
6.51954
MovieDocumentary
Documentary footage from the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki.
The Horse in FocusThe Horse in Focus · 1956
The Horse in Focus
5.41956
MovieDocumentary
A documentary covering the equestrian events of 1956 Olympic Games in Stockholm.
Olympic Games 1956Olympic Games 1956 · 1956
Olympic Games 1956
6.41956
MovieDocumentary
A documentary covering the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne and Stockholm.
White VertigoWhite Vertigo · 1956
White Vertigo
6.51956
MovieDocumentary
A documentary covering the 1956 Olympic Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
The Melbourne RendezvousThe Melbourne Rendezvous · 1957
The Melbourne Rendezvous
5.71957
MovieDocumentary
Rendez-Vous a Melbourne is the official filmed record of the 1956 Olympic Games in Australia. At the time of its release, there was much controversy in the documentary-filmmaking world over the fact that the Aussies signed over exclusive distribution rights to a French firm, resulting in a boycott from other movie companies. None of this matters when the film is seen today: though not in the same league as Leni Reifenstahl's Olympiad, this 110-minute extravaganza is consistently entertaining. Fifteen cameras were utilized to lens every aspect of the event; it was then up to editors Jean Dudrumet and Monique Lacombe to burrow through miles and miles of film to cull the highlights seen herein. Portions of Rendez-Vous a Melbourne have since resurfaced in practically every Olympics documentary -- not to mention the many TV specials attending the now-biannual event.
Alain MimounAlain Mimoun · 1959
Alain Mimoun
6.31959
MovieDocumentary
A documentary about French marathon runner Alain Mimoun at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne.
People, Hopes, MedalsPeople, Hopes, Medals · 1960
People, Hopes, Medals
4.61960
MovieDocumentary
A documentary covering the 1960 Winter Olympic Games in Squaw Valley, California.
The Grand OlympicsThe Grand Olympics · 1961
The Grand Olympics
6.01961
MovieDocumentary
Events and athletes that characterized the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. From the absolute protagonist Wilma Rudolph, called the black gazelle, to Livio Berruti, the first white to win the 200 meters, to the deeds of Ethiopian marathon runner Abebe Bikila, who won the marathon racing barefoot.
IX Olympic Winter Games, Innsbruck 1964IX Olympic Winter Games, Innsbruck 1964 · 1964
IX Olympic Winter Games, Innsbruck 1964
5.71964
MovieDocumentary
A documentary on the 1964 Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria.
Tokyo OlympiadTokyo Olympiad · 1965
Tokyo Olympiad
7.71965
MovieDocumentary
This impressionistic portrait of the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics pays as much attention to the crowds and workers as it does to the actual competitive events. Highlights include an epic pole-vaulting match between West Germany and America, and the final marathon race through Tokyo's streets. Two athletes are highlighted: Ethiopian marathon runner Abebe Bikila, who receives his second gold medal, and runner Ahamed Isa from Chad, representing a country younger than he is.
Sensation of the CenturySensation of the Century · 1966
Sensation of the Century
5.01966
MovieDocumentary
A documentary covering the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo. It consists primarily of footage edited from the documentary TOKYO OLYMPIAD, directed by Kon Ichikawa.
Snows of GrenobleSnows of Grenoble · 1968
Snows of Grenoble
5.61968
MovieDocumentary
Film about the 10th Olympic Games in Grenoble in 1968. Using a subjective camera, Ertaud and Languepin take the pulse of the Games, cutting out the eyes and slowing down the movement when necessary. The dominant figure at the Grenoble Winter Games is Frenchman Jean-Claude Killy, whose three gold medals matched Toni Sailer's 1956 feat. The filmmakers bet on his winning streak, and include commentary from him as he prepares for each race. Another athlete, Marielle Goitschel, is treated insightfully on screen and wins the women's slalom. Ice dancing fans will appreciate the coverage of winner Oleg Protopopov and his partner Ludmila Belousova. President Charles De Gaulle was present for the spectacular Opening Ceremony.
The Olympics in MexicoThe Olympics in Mexico · 1969
The Olympics in Mexico
6.11969
MovieDocumentary
Documentary about the XIX Olympic Games in Mexico City in 1968. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment in 1999.
Sapporo Winter OlympicsSapporo Winter Olympics · 1972
Sapporo Winter Olympics
6.91972
MovieDocumentary
An artistic and unconventional approach to winter sports, using striking visuals, sound design, and a focus on both the spectacle and the human element—including behind-the-scenes figures like ice maintenance workers—to create an intimate and aesthetically unique portrayal of the Olympics.
Visions of EightVisions of Eight · 1973
Visions of Eight
7.11973
MovieDocumentary
Eight acclaimed filmmakers bring their unique and differing perspectives to the 1972 Summer Olympic Games held in Munich. The segments include Lelouch's take on Olympic losers and their struggle to remain dignified even in the face of bitter disappointment and defeat; Zetterling's dramatic exploration of the world of weightlifting; and Pfleghar's piece on young Russian gymnast Ludmilla Tourischev's majestic performance on the uneven bars.
Games of the XXI OlympiadGames of the XXI Olympiad · 1977
Games of the XXI Olympiad
5.11977
MovieDocumentary
Edited from almost 100 km of film footage shot during the Games, this feature documentary is a breathtaking portrait of the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Much more than a simple record of the Games, the film approaches each event with the intention of revealing the athlete - whether winner or loser - as a unique individual.
White RockWhite Rock · 1977
White Rock
5.41977
MovieDocumentary
British documentary filmmaker and producer Tony Maylam reinvigorated the sports documentary genre with WHITE ROCK, an idiosyncratic and utterly engaging account of the XII Olympic Winter Games Innsbruck 1976. He did so by placing music (by organ and synth wunderkind Rick Wakeman) front and center, and by using Hollywood star James Coburn as a "guide for the uninitiated."
Olympic SpiritOlympic Spirit · 1980
Olympic Spirit
5.51980
MovieDocumentary
A documentary covering the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid.
O Sport, You Are Peace!O Sport, You Are Peace! · 1981
O Sport, You Are Peace!
6.51981
MovieDocumentary
A 1981 documentary film directed by Yuri Ozerov. It showed the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1980 Summer Olympics held in Moscow. The director was awarded the State Prize of the USSR in 1982. The film was selected as the Soviet entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 54th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.
A Turning PointA Turning Point · 1984
A Turning Point
5.31984
MovieDocumentary
A documentary covering the 1984 Olympic Games in Sarajevo.
16 Days of Glory16 Days of Glory · 1985
16 Days of Glory
7.21985
MovieDocumentary
The definitive photographic record of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, told "from the inside" through the lives of the participants, the words of David Perry, and the singing voice of Placido Domingo. From the opening to closing ceremonies, this unique style of storytelling shows a side of the Olympic Games not seen by television audiences.
Beyond All BarriersBeyond All Barriers · 1989
Beyond All Barriers
5.01989
MovieDocumentary
A documentary covering the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul.
Hand in HandHand in Hand · 1989
Hand in Hand
6.01989
MovieDocumentary
A documentary covering the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul.
Seoul 1988Seoul 1988 · 1989
Seoul 1988
6.01989
MovieDocumentary
A documentary covering the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul.
Calgary ’88: 16 Days of GloryCalgary ’88: 16 Days of Glory · 1989
Calgary ’88: 16 Days of Glory
6.21989
MovieDocumentary
A documentary covering the 1988 Olympic Games in Calgary.
One Light, One WorldOne Light, One World · 1992
One Light, One World
5.31992
MovieDocumentary
A documentary covering the 1992 Olympic Games in Albertville.
MarathonMarathon · 1993
Marathon
4.91993
MovieDocumentary
A documentary covering the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.
Lillehammer ’94: 16 Days of GloryLillehammer ’94: 16 Days of Glory · 1994
Lillehammer ’94: 16 Days of Glory
5.41994
MovieDocumentary
A documentary covering the 1994 Olympic Games in Lillehammer.
Atlanta’s Olympic GloryAtlanta’s Olympic Glory · 1997
Atlanta’s Olympic Glory
5.31997
MovieDocumentary
A documentary covering the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Nagano ’98 Olympics: Stories of Honor and GloryNagano ’98 Olympics: Stories of Honor and Glory · 1998
Nagano ’98 Olympics: Stories of Honor and Glory
6.31998
MovieDocumentary
A documentary covering the 1998 Winter Olympic Games in Nagano.
Sydney 2000: Stories of Olympic GlorySydney 2000: Stories of Olympic Glory · 2001
Sydney 2000: Stories of Olympic Glory
7.32001
MovieDocumentary
A documentary covering the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.
Salt Lake City 2002: Stories of Olympic GlorySalt Lake City 2002: Stories of Olympic Glory · 2003
Salt Lake City 2002: Stories of Olympic Glory
6.52003
MovieDocumentary
Award-winning sports chronicler Bud Greenspan delivers a powerful and emotional look at six individual stories in the official film of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City. Greenspan goes beyond highlight footage to tell the story of how these athletes overcome incredible obstacles to achieve Olympic glory.
Bud Greenspan’s Athens 2004: Stories of Olympic GloryBud Greenspan’s Athens 2004: Stories of Olympic Glory · 2005
Bud Greenspan’s Athens 2004: Stories of Olympic Glory
6.02005
MovieDocumentary
A documentary covering the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
Bud Greenspan’s Torino 2006: Stories of Olympic GloryBud Greenspan’s Torino 2006: Stories of Olympic Glory · 2007
Bud Greenspan’s Torino 2006: Stories of Olympic Glory
6.02007
MovieDocumentary
A documentary covering the 2006 Olympic Games in Turin.
The Everlasting FlameThe Everlasting Flame · 2009
The Everlasting Flame
9.02009
MovieDocumentary
A documentary covering the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Bud Greenspan Presents Vancouver 2010: Stories of Olympic GloryBud Greenspan Presents Vancouver 2010: Stories of Olympic Glory · 2011
Bud Greenspan Presents Vancouver 2010: Stories of Olympic Glory
5.22011
MovieDocumentary
A documentary covering the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.
FirstFirst · 2012
First
5.92012
MovieDocumentary
The Official Film of the XXXth Olympic Games to be held in London, following the stories of twelve first-time Olympians from around the world.
The Games of the V Olympiad Stockholm, 1912The Games of the V Olympiad Stockholm, 1912 · 2017
The Games of the V Olympiad Stockholm, 1912
5.62017
MovieDocumentary
Newly restored and assembled by the International Olympic Committee - the earliest comprehensive moving-image record of the modern Olympic Games that survives today.

More from Claude LelouchSee all →

A Man and a WomanA Man and a Woman · 1966
A Man and a Woman
7.31966
MovieDramaRomance
A man and a woman meet by accident on a Sunday evening at their childrens' boarding school. Slowly, they reveal themselves to each other, finding that they have something deeply in common.
Happy New YearHappy New Year · 1973
Happy New Year
7.31973
MovieComedyCrime
Released from prison under a New Year amnesty, a criminal tries to pick up the threads of a life changed not only by his daring plan to rob a jewelry store in out-of-season Cannes, but also by a very special someone he met there.
Itinerary of a Spoiled ChildItinerary of a Spoiled Child · 1988
Itinerary of a Spoiled Child
7.21988
MovieDramaAdventure
A foundling, raised in the circus, Sam Lion becomes a businessman after a trapeze accident. However, when he reaches fifty and becomes tired of his responsibilities and of his son Jean-Philippe, he decides to disappear at sea. However, he runs into Albert Duvivier, one of his former employees. He comes to realise that he has ignored the important things in his life.
The CrookThe Crook · 1970
The Crook
7.11970
MovieActionThriller
A thief known as Simon the Swiss faces up and downs in his criminal profession.
Visions of EightVisions of Eight · 1973
Visions of Eight
7.11973
MovieDocumentary
Eight acclaimed filmmakers bring their unique and differing perspectives to the 1972 Summer Olympic Games held in Munich. The segments include Lelouch's take on Olympic losers and their struggle to remain dignified even in the face of bitter disappointment and defeat; Zetterling's dramatic exploration of the world of weightlifting; and Pfleghar's piece on young Russian gymnast Ludmilla Tourischev's majestic performance on the uneven bars.
Earth LightEarth Light · 1970
Earth Light
6.91970
MovieDrama
The Tunisian born hero of the film decides to break with his disorganized yet habit-ridden life in Paris, and sets off to discover his homeland, which he left at 6 years old, and to rekindle the memory of his mother, who died when he was a child.
BoleroBolero · 1981
Bolero
6.91981
MovieDramaMusic
The film follows four families, with different nationalities (French, German, Russian and American) but with the same passion for music, from the 1930s to the 1960s. The various story lines cross each other time and again in different places and times, with their own theme scores that evolve as time passes. The main event in the film is the Second World War, which throws the stories of the four musical families together and mixes their fates. Although all characters are fictional, many of them are loosely based on historical musical icons (Édith Piaf, Josephine Baker, Herbert von Karajan, Glenn Miller, Rudolf Nureyev, etc.) The Boléro dance sequence at the end brings all the threads together.
Les MiserablesLes Miserables · 1995
Les Miserables
6.61995
MovieDramaHistory
In WWII France, poor and illiterate Henri Fortin is introduced to Victor Hugo's classic novel Les Misérables and begins to see parallels between the book and his own life.
Far WestFar West · 1973
Far West
6.51973
MovieWesternComedy
This Belgian/French tale chronicles the efforts of Jacques (Jacques Brel) to find the Old West in modern America. Dressed as cowboy, he travels throughout western American cities and towns and finds others similarly dressed. These idealists gather together and build an old-western-style town in the middle of an abandoned factory, battling local bureaucracies in the process.
Going and Coming BackGoing and Coming Back · 1985
Going and Coming Back
6.51985
MovieDramaWar
Salomé Lerner just finished writing an autobiography. She goes to a TV show called "Apostrophes", hosted by French TV showman Bernard Pivot. Pivot then imagines a film that could be created from her gripping story. A film entirely made of music because after seeing the young pianist Erik Berchot, Salomé believes seeing her long lost brother, who was a musician as well. A brother she had lost along with her parents in 1943. However, the Lerners did in fact escape the gestapo and might have based themselves in Paris...
To Each His Own CinemaTo Each His Own Cinema · 2007
To Each His Own Cinema
6.42007
MovieComedyDrama
Commissioned to mark the 60th anniversary of the Cannes Film Festival, "To Each His Own Cinema" brought together 33 of the world's pre-eminent filmmakers to produce short pieces exploring the multifarious facets of cinema and their perspective on the state of their chosen artform in the early 21st century.
September 11September 11 · 2002
September 11
6.42002
MovieDrama
Eleven directors from eleven countries each contribute an eleven-minute short reflecting on the events of 11 September 2001: A village teacher in Iran tries to explain to her young students what's happened; city kids in Burkina Faso think they've spotted Osama bin Laden; a deaf Frenchwoman in Manhattan writes a Dear John letter to a man who left that morning for work at the World Trade Center; a Chilean remembers Allende; events recall other deaths; a mother endures more than her son's death. Tones vary, as do the locales. Most concern coming to terms with the events of the day, but at least one confronts the viewer with tragedy and death.
Lumière & CompanyLumière & Company · 1995
Lumière & Company
6.31995
MovieDramaDocumentary
40 international directors were asked to make a short film using the original Cinematographe invented by the Lumière Brothers, working under conditions similar to those of 1895. There were three rules: (1) The film could be no longer than 52 seconds, (2) no synchronized sound was permitted, and (3) no more than three takes.
Love Is a Funny ThingLove Is a Funny Thing · 1969
Love Is a Funny Thing
6.31969
MovieDramaRomance
A composer and a French film star, both of whom are married to others, meet and fall in love while shooting a film in the United States.
MolièreMolière · 1978
Molière
6.11978
MovieDramaHistory
Jean-Baptiste Poquelin is raised by his father and his grandfather because his mother dies when he's still very little. He works as a handyman, studies the law at a university and travels the country as an actor before he becomes the celebrated playwright Molière who impresses firstly the Duke of Orleans and then even King Louis XIV.
Long Live LifeLong Live Life · 1984
Long Live Life
6.01984
MovieThrillerComedy
The movie starts with an interview with director Claude Lelouch. He pleads viewers not to disclose the plot of the movie after leaving the projection room. Even the movie's trailer shows only a long sequence of faces gazing speechlessly in space. "Like all my movies, this one is about a man and a woman", says Lelouch in the interview.

More Like This

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter