The Statement (novel)

"The Statement" (1995) is a thriller novel by novelist Brian Moore. Set in the south of France and Paris in the early 1990s, "The Statement" is the tale of Pierre Brossard, a former officer in the pro-Fascist militia which served Vichy France, and a murderer of Jews.

Plot summary

Now 70 years old, Brossard has spent the better part of his life in hiding, traveling among the monasteries and abbeys that offer him asylum. Though he has evaded capture for decades with the help of the French government and the Catholic Church, now a new breed of government officials is determined to break decades of silence and expose and expatriate the crimes of Vichy.

Inspiration

"The Statement" is based on the real-life case of Paul Touvier, a French war criminal who was also long protected by Church and government officials.

Film adaptation

The novel was adapted into a 2003 film directed by Norman Jewison. Michael Caine appeared as Pierre Brossard, a character inspired by Touvier.