Grand Illusion

( 10 )

Overview

Frequently cited as both one of the greatest films about war and one of the greatest films ever made, Jean Renoir's La Grande Illusion is an often witty, sometimes poignant, frequently moving examination of the futility of war. During World War I, twoFrench airmen are shot down while taking surveillance photographs in German territory: Capt. de Boeldieu Pierre Fresnay, a wealthy and aristocratic officer; Lt. Maréchal Jean Gabin, a burly but intelligent working-class mechanic. The three are brought to a P.O.W. ...
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Overview

Frequently cited as both one of the greatest films about war and one of the greatest films ever made, Jean Renoir's La Grande Illusion is an often witty, sometimes poignant, frequently moving examination of the futility of war. During World War I, twoFrench airmen are shot down while taking surveillance photographs in German territory: Capt. de Boeldieu Pierre Fresnay, a wealthy and aristocratic officer; Lt. Maréchal Jean Gabin, a burly but intelligent working-class mechanic. The three are brought to a P.O.W. camp, where they encounter and befriend Rosenthal Marcel Dalio, a prosperous Jewish banker, and the commander, Von Rauffenstein Erich von Stroheim, takes an immediate liking to de Boeldieu.They are members of the same social class and believe that the political and intellectual ideals of the Europe they once knew will soon be a thing of the past with the rise to power of the proletariat. The three Frenchmen discover that their fellow prisoners have been digging an escape tunnel, and all of them agree to help -- Maréchal and Rosenthal with enthusiasm, de Boeldieu out of a sense of duty. As he puts it, when on a golf course, one plays golf, and while in a prison camp, one tries to escape -- it's the accepted thing to do. As Von Rauffenstein and de Boeldieu become friends, and the rank-and-file soldiers banter as much with the German guards as with each other, the characters seem involved less in a war than in some vast, petty game, albeit one with deadly consequences; they often talk about women and food, while never mentioning political ideology.
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Lucia Bozzola
A "poetic realist" masterpiece, Jean Renoir's Grand Illusion (1937) eloquently revealed the absurdity of war in a story about escape from a World War I German prison camp. One of the first sound film masters of the mobile camera, Renoir structured his film through a series of long takes in deep focus, moving gracefully yet subtly among the characters to embed them in rather than isolate them from their environments. With this observational style, Renoir examined the "grand illusions" threatening Europe in the 1930s and humankind in general: war and the artificial distinctions of class and nation that drive it. Each of the four main characters stands for a particular social stratum, with their metaphorical places revealed through realistic details of conversation and quotidian behavior. This emphasis on the reality of daily life in prison camps, complete with dialogue in several languages and easygoing camaraderie between prisoners and guards, suggests the core of humanity shared by all, regardless of class, language, and cultural divisions. The poetic final image of an invisible border hidden beneath an expanse of white snow punctuates Renoir's benevolently humanist stance. Grand Illusion was a hit in the U.S. as well as in France, even receiving an Oscar nomination for Best Picture; it also received a special prize at the 1937 Venice Film Festival despite being banned in Italy and Germany. Regularly listed as one of the best films ever made, Grand Illusion's power remains undiminished, while the impact of Renoir's audacious style can be seen from the work of Orson Welles to the French New Wave.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 11/16/1999
  • UPC: 037429143735
  • Original Release: 1937

    • Rating:

  • Source: Homevision
  • Format: VHS

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Jean Gabin Lieutenant Maréchal
Pierre Fresnay Capt. de Boeldieu
Erich Von Stroheim Von Rauffenstein
Marcel Dalio Rosenthal
Dita Parlo Elsa, Farm Woman
Julien Carette The Actor
Jacques Becker An English Officer
Gaston Modot The engineer
Georges Péclet A French Soldier
Jean Dasté The Teacher
Sylvain Itkine Demolder
Claude Sainval
Technical Credits
Jean Renoir Director, Screenwriter
Jacques Becker Asst. Director
Raymond Blondy Production Manager
Joseph DeBretagne Sound/Sound Designer
Joseph Kosma Score Composer
Eugène Lourié Art Director, Set Decoration/Design
Christian Matras Cinematographer
Raphael Makeup
Marguerite Renoir Editor
Charles Spaak Screenwriter
Vincent Telly Songwriter
Albert Valsien Songwriter
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5
( 10 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(9)

4 Star

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(1)

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1 Star

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Sort by: Showing all of 10 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Spectacular!

    Renoir's classic is utterly beautiful, and actors such as the great Erich von Stroeheim give it real depth. One comment though: the meaning of the ''illusion'' referred to in the movie is open to interpretation, but Jean Renoir was referring to the fact that the aristocracy of society had false beliefs that they could rise up above the war, when, in fact, they were victims as well.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Probably the greatest film ever produced.

    This often overlooked 1930's french film by Renoir is far superior to any war film on account of its complex examination of the ''illusion'' of war. On top of that is Renoir's wonderful filming style that far surpassed any of the time period. A perfect film in every way.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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