Le Silence de la mer (French pronunciation: [lə silɑ̃s də la mɛʁ], lit. 'The silence of the sea') is a 1949 French war drama film written and directed by Jean-Pierre Melville, in his directorial debut. Adapted from the 1942 novella of the same name written by Vercors (the pen name of Jean Bruller). Set during the Second World War in occupied France, the story concerns the relationship of a Frenchman and his niece with a German lieutenant who is billetted in their house.