It is based on the memories of the veteran French director Jean Devaivre, active in the film industry and the resistance during the Second World War.

In return Tavernier implied that the quarrel was about money, rather than truth, commenting "The man whom he called 'my hero' had at first refused any payment, but his family later demanded both recompense and acknowledgement that the work was inspired by the autobiography".

[10] The film gained 75% on Rotten Tomatoes out of 36 reviews with the consensus "A highly detailed, exciting historical epic.

[13] Jürgen Fauth, of About.com, said that Tavernier has woven a rich tapestry that never hits the dramatic high point, the life-and-death crisis that Hollywood has trained us to expect, but that the film still satisfies through its continually compelling surface, the kaleidoscopic scope of its attention, the large and small stories it tells.

[14] Holly E. Ordway, of DVD Talk, said that the film will probably be enjoyed by devotees of French cinema who are well-versed in the history of the art, but that it's not worth watching for anyone else.

[16] In reviewing the top 10 films of 2002, David Parkinson of The Oxford Times wrote that with the Vichy France era still considered a taboo topic in that country, it was not surprising that Laissez-passer "would inflame passions".

The two disc PAL R2 French release features a director's commentary, a making of doc, and 8 deleted scenes.