The Story of a Three-Day Pass

1967

1h 27m

Drama

List

100%

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

91%

Audience Score

50+ Ratings

A black American soldier, Turner (Harry Baird), is given three days leave in Paris. Not knowing what to do with himself, he goes to a nightclub where he meets a French girl, Miriam (Nicole Berger). They dance together and reunite the next day to visit the seaside. Their romance blossoms; Turner rents a hotel room and Miriam calls in sick to work. But their love affair is darkened by Turner's impending departure and the specter of racial prejudice.

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Richard Brody

New Yorker

Although its protagonist is American and much of the film is in English, the movie reflects the stylistic variety and the freewheeling innovation of the French New Wave.

Jun 15, 2020

Full Review

Renata Adler

New York Times

A kind of gentle cross between "Hiroshima Mon Amour" and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner"-a little hard to imagine, it is true, but less pretentious than the first and less false than the second.

Jan 9, 2018

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Fedor Tot

Vague Visages

The constant juxtaposition between the sheer joy of an impromptu summer romance and the reality of the surrounding world is The Story of a Three-Day Pass’ enduring legacy.

Nov 7, 2023

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Brian Susbielles

InSession Film

An American director using the French New Wave to create something innocent, yet scandalous in regards to interracial dating.

Feb 28, 2023

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Nadine Smith

Nashville Scene

Though Sweet Sweetback was Van Peebles' shot heard round the world, The Story of a Three-Day Pass shows an artist whose strengths were already present from his debut.

Sep 8, 2021

Full Review

Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

...if Van Peebles' direction is more imitative than innovative at this point, he still communicates an infectious joy in the medium, as well as a few sharp social insights.

May 21, 2021

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Parker E

To love is to be human.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Charming and brilliant first picture. A great mix of new wave charm with today to day racial tensions. Some brilliant direction, inventive shots from all angles and charming leads. Shockingly real considering the time and subject matter.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Clever, innovative Blaxploitation progenitor

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

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Melvin Van Peebles

Director

Harry Baird

Turner

Nicole Berger

Miriam

Christian Marin

Hotelman

Pierre Doris

Peasant

Hal Brav

The Captain

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Synopsis

A black American soldier, Turner (Harry Baird), is given three days leave in Paris. Not knowing what to do with himself, he goes to a nightclub where he meets a French girl, Miriam (Nicole Berger). They dance together and reunite the next day to visit the seaside. Their romance blossoms; Turner rents a hotel room and Miriam calls in sick to work. But their love affair is darkened by Turner's impending departure and the specter of racial prejudice.

Director: Melvin Van Peebles
Producer: Guy Belfond
Screenwriter: Melvin Van Peebles
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 17, 2020
Runtime: 1h 27m

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