René Hardy

Who was René Hardy?

René Hardy was a member of the French Resistance during World War II.

Hardy was born in Mortrée, Orne. After the war, he was tried twice for collaboration, but was found not guilty, despite committing perjury at the first trial. Shortly before his death he was accused again by Klaus Barbie, but died before any new charges were brought.

Hardy was also a novelist. His book Bitter Victory was adapted for the cinema in a Franco-US co-production starring Richard Burton. It is one of director Nicholas Ray's finest films.