The film stars Cate Blanchett, James Fleet, Abigail Cruttenden, Rupert Penry-Jones, Michael Gambon and Billy Crudup.

The story is based on the exploits of women in Britain's Special Operations Executive (SOE) who worked with the French resistance in Nazi-occupied France.

Richard Cannerley enters her compartment, asking questions about her life and expressing interest that she is fluent in French.

Charlotte enjoys a quick wartime romance with Royal Air Force Flight lieutenant Peter Gregory, whom she met at the party.

Levade is hiding two French Jewish boys, André and Jacob, after their parents were deported to a German concentration camp in Nazi-occupied Poland.

Charlotte participates in a Resistance mission: helping to blow up a train carrying Nazi armaments and soldiers.

Evading French police, Charlotte rushes to Levade's house, types a letter and takes it to the railway station where Jews are being loaded into cattle cars.

Peter Gregory, who actually survived his aeroplane crash and has been in hiding in France, contacts her, wanting to resume their romance.

Exteriors were filmed on location at Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, in the French department of Tarn-et-Garonne, as well as in England, Scotland and at Pinewood Studios.

[7] The critics' consensus said, "A dull adaptation of Sebastian Faulk's novel despite gorgeous cinematography and Cate Blanchett's best efforts".

[12] Blanchett was nominated for Best Actress – Drama at the 6th Golden Satellite Awards, ultimately losing to Sissy Spacek for In the Bedroom.