With a figure as enigmatic as Marlene Dietrich, one might find it difficult to portray her real life on film - not so. J David Riva, the legend's grandson, has managed to capture a part of it so evocatively and with remarkably little actual dialogue from Dietrich herself.

This is not about what drove her as an actress and chanteuse. It concentrates on a specific time in her life that forever defined her - The Second World War. So often she is caught in the role of femme fatale, but added to that must be war hero. Conflicting between the pride of her German identity and a hatred of the Nazis, she spent much of that time vouching for European Jews and entertaining troops on the front line, while her beloved mother remained behind in Berlin.

You really see the true strength of this woman after the war. She is spurned by her lover, French actor Jean Gabin, and handles it with magnificent pragmatism. Sixteen years after peace was signed and many awards for her dedication to the war effort later, she returns to Germany to give a concert as part of a tour, only to be branded a traitor by the press. Again, her show of dignity is phenomenal.

This is a beautifully made film about an outstanding life. The anecdotes from Dietrich's daughter are a joy and give a rare insight into her private life. The narration by Jamie Lee Curtis is a little stilted, however, somewhat reminiscent of a school history lesson. Nonetheless, interviews with family, close friends and colleagues, such as Burt Bacharach, who accompanied her on her later tours, make for a fascinating observation on crucial parts of the grande dame's life. Unfortunately, there isn't enough rare interview footage of Dietrich herself, which is compensated by wonderful moments on the stage, singing Lili Marlene.