Story of a Three-Day Pass Review: A Breezy French Escape

Story of a Three-Day Pass, directed by Melvin Van Peebles, is a timeless film that captures the essence of love, identity, and the fleeting nature of freedom in a three-day journey. Set in France in the 1960s, this tale follows an African American soldier named Turner, who is granted a brief respite from his military duties. Director Melvin Van Peebles is a pioneering figure in American cinema, celebrated for his contributions to Black cinema and his fearless approach to filmmaking.

Van Peebles grew up in a creative and politically aware household, which laid the foundation for his lifelong commitment to challenging stereotypes and advocating for social change through his art. In the late 1950s, he moved to France, where he found greater artistic freedom and opportunities to tell stories that reflected the Black experience with authenticity and integrity. In 1967, Van Peebles made his feature film debut with The Story of a Three-Day Pass, based on his own novel La Permission.

The film follows the romance between a Black GI and a white French woman. Its candid exploration of their relationship and its innovative use of editing techniques influenced by the French New Wave, stand the test of time.

From the opening scenes, the film captured my attention. Turner, played by Harry Baird, displays an arresting screen presence as he takes me along for a thrilling ride. Through Turner’s eyes, we experience France with a mixture of awe and trepidation. At the centre of Turner’s journey is his chance encounter with Miriam, played by Nicole Berger. Their whirlwind romance commences in a club, with a bittersweet awareness that their time together is transitory. Beneath the surface of their romance lies a poignant commentary on identity and belonging. As an African American soldier in a foreign land, Turner grapples with his sense of self amid isolation.

Cinematography and French New Wave

The film language in Story of a Three-Day Pass is standout and truly impressive. Through the combination of camerawork, mise en scène, sound, performance and editing, the cinematography is evocative and inviting. I felt every frame was imbued with meaning and emotion.

Story of a Three-Day Pass is deeply influenced by the style and innovation of the French New Wave. The film utilises location shooting to capture the authenticity of its setting. Filmed on location in France, the movie showcases the picturesque landscapes of the French countryside as well as city life. The cinéma vérité style, with its lighting and a documentary-like approach, gives the film its realness, as if we are there alongside the characters themselves. Story of a Three-Day Pass also uses nonlinear storytelling techniques to convey the protagonist’s inner thoughts and emotions. Through dream sequences and fragmented narratives, the film explores its themes with an experimental approach to storytelling.

The film engages in intertextuality and self-reflexivity, drawing on literary and cinematic references to enrich its narrative. For example, Turner’s experiences as a black GI stationed in France evoke parallels to the broader historical context of racial tension and cultural exchange during the civil rights era. French New Wave filmmakers often experimented with editing techniques, including jump cuts and montage, to disrupt traditional narrative structures and create dynamic visual compositions. Jump cuts, in particular, became a signature stylistic device, allowing for abrupt shifts in time and perspective within a single scene.

A notable scene from the movie takes place in the nightclub where the couple meet; the camerawork and framing skilfully capture the energy in the venue. Sweeping pans follow dancers as they move across the floor, creating a sense of fluidity and momentum that mirrors the rhythms of the music. The camera glides effortlessly between couples, capturing their intricate footwork and graceful movements with finesse. This dynamic approach to camerawork not only enhanced the visual spectacle of the dance sequences but also created a sense of immersion. Close-ups of hands, twirling bodies, and longing glances convey the passion and intensity of the interactions.

In many scenes, natural light is utilised to illuminate the characters and their surroundings. During Turner and Miriam’s romantic moments together, soft, diffused light bathes their faces, accentuating their connection and highlighting the warmth and tenderness of their relationship. Conversely, in moments of tension, the lighting becomes more dramatic. During Turner’s encounters with prejudice, harsh overhead lighting casts deep shadows across his face, emphasising the emotional weight of these experiences and underscoring the struggles he faces.

Another notable aspect of this film is the daydream sequences. Through dreamscape, we experience the inner world of Turner, with glimpses of his hopes, desires, and innermost thoughts. As dreams do, Turner’s daydreams serve as a form of escapism, allowing him to envision a life of freedom and fulfilment. I found these segments great as they provided a touch of humour and levity to the film, injecting moments of whimsy and playfulness into the narrative. We see Turner envision himself as a velvet and lace-adorned 19th-century squire and one of him lovingly running toward a woman, ready to embrace her, on a country road. These scenarios added comedic flair and lightheartedness to the story, offering moments of respite from the more serious underlying themes.

Like so many films that I watch and enjoy, there are so many aspects that can be dissected. The bedroom scene, for instance, is a powerful and evocative sequence that juxtaposes intimate moments between Turner and Miriam with clips of protest and nature. As Turner and Miriam are in bed, the scene cuts intermittently to footage of protest marches, documentary footage and crashing waves. These clips serve as a visual counterpoint to the lovers’ intimate moments, highlighting the broader social and political context in which their relationship unfolds. The protest footage symbolises the larger social movements of the time, including the civil rights movement and anti-war protests, which serve as a backdrop to Turner and Miriam’s personal struggles. By intercutting these scenes with the lovers, we see the parallels between the personal and the political, suggesting that the quest for love and freedom is intertwined with larger societal struggles for justice and equality. Similarly, the footage of war serves as a stark reminder of the violence and upheaval that pervades the world outside the bedroom. As Turner and Miriam seek solace in each other’s arms, the images offer a sobering reminder of the challenges they face as individuals and as a couple, adding depth and complexity to their interracial relationship.

Harmonising Life & Legacy

The music in Story of a Three-Day Pass plays a crucial role in shaping the emotional landscape of the film, enhancing the visual experience. Throughout the film, the soundtrack is filled with a rich tapestry of jazz, blues, and soul music, evoking the vibrant energy and cultural diversity of the setting. The music serves as an emotional anchor, heightening the impact of key moments in the film. Additionally, the use of both music and sound for comedic effect also added an extra layer to the narrative expression.

While Story of a Three-Day Pass may not be as widely known or celebrated as some other films, its impact on cinema can still be felt today. Through its groundbreaking approach to storytelling and its innovative visual style, it continues to inspire and influence. Following the success of The Story of a Three-Day Pass, Melvin Van Peebles continued to push boundaries with his subsequent films, including Watermelon Man (1970) and Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song (1971). Sweetback’s Song, in particular, is considered a landmark film in the history of Black cinema, credited with kickstarting the Blaxploitation genre and paving the way for future generations of black filmmakers.

Despite his achievements, Van Peebles faced significant challenges in navigating Hollywood’s racial biases. His outspoken criticism of the film industry’s systemic racism and his refusal to compromise his artistic vision often resulted in backlash and marginalisation. Throughout his career, Van Peebles remained a fearless trailblazer, using his platform to amplify marginalised voices and challenge mainstream narratives. His contributions to Black cinema have left an indelible mark on the industry, inspiring generations of filmmakers to tell their stories with authenticity, courage, and conviction.

His legacy continues to resonate today, reminding us of the power of cinema to provoke thought, inspire change, and illuminate the complexities of the human experience.