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The Eternal Return
Movie

The Eternal Return

1943 • Unknown

Woke Score
3
out of 10

Plot

A retelling of Tristan and Isolde set in 1940s France.

Overall Series Review

The Eternal Return is a 1943 French romantic drama that modernizes the medieval myth of Tristan and Isolde, setting the fated, tragic love story against the backdrop of a Gothic French chateau in the 1940s. The core narrative focuses on the transcendent, all-consuming passion between the hero, Patrice, and his uncle's beautiful fiancée, Nathalie, after they unknowingly consume a love potion. The primary antagonists are conniving, jealous relatives who attempt to destroy the lovers. The film's poetic dialogue and romantic aesthetic secured its success in Occupied France. Thematically, the movie strongly favors fated, passionate destiny over social constraint, but the central conflict is driven by the malice of a specific character, a dwarf named Achille, whose physical characteristic is central to his role as a malevolent outsider, drawing commentary from critics about historical negative stereotyping.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics8/10

The film relies on the immutable characteristic of the dwarf Achille to define him as a malevolent, scheming outsider who is the source of all evil and tragedy. Historical analysis suggests the use of the 'Untermensch dwarf' character alongside the heroic 'beautiful blonde' lovers embeds a political allegory, judging character not by merit but by physical 'otherness' and stereotype.

Oikophobia2/10

The movie is a romantic and lyrical re-imagining of the Western myth of Tristan and Isolde, honoring European literary and historical tradition. The story was received as a patriotic allegory by some in occupied France, defending the 'soul of a nation' against destructive forces. Core Western culture is viewed with reverence, not contempt.

Feminism2/10

Gender dynamics are complementary; the hero Patrice acts as a 'knight in shining armor' to protect Nathalie in an early scene. The heroine's defining characteristic is her pure and destined love, not professional achievement. The female villain, Gertrude, is a bitter, scheming woman, contrasting negatively with the ideal, passionate heroine.

LGBTQ+1/10

The narrative centers entirely on a passionate, heterosexual pairing, reflecting the classic myth it adapts. The structure reinforces the male-female pair as the standard for transcendent, fated love. The film avoids any discussion or promotion of alternative sexualities or gender theory.

Anti-Theism3/10

The conflict is driven by a metaphysical power—a love potion—and the concept of 'eternal return' (fate/destiny), not by a critique of organized religion. While fate replaces religious morality as the central transcendent force, traditional faith is neither demonized nor presented as the root of evil. Objective moral law is replaced by objective, fated passion.