Grand Illusion

1937 114 min ★ 7.9 Drama, History, War

A group of French soldiers, including the patrician Captain de Boeldieu and the working-class Lieutenant Maréchal, grapple with their own class differences after being captured and held in a World War I German prison camp. When the men are transferred to a high-security fortress, they must concoct a plan to escape beneath the watchful eye of aristocratic German officer von Rauffenstein, who has formed an unexpected bond with de Boeldieu.

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Cast

Jean Gabin

Le lieutenant Maréchal

Pierre Fresnay

Le capitaine de Boëldieu

Erich von Stroheim

Le capitaine von Rauffenstein

Marcel Dalio

Le lieutenant Rosenthal

Dita Parlo

Elsa

Julien Carette

Cartier, l'acteur

Gaston Modot

L'ingénieur

Georges Péclet

Le serrurier

Werner Florian

Le sergent Arthur

Jean Dasté

L'instituteur

Details

Director

Jean Renoir

Screenplay

Jean Renoir

Tagline

"A Great Drama of Human Emotions"

Status

Released

Original Language

FR

Revenue

$172,885

Production

Réalisation d'Art Cinématographique

Reviews

C

CinemaSerf

June 20, 2022

★ 7/10

Very much more of a character-driven look at the experiences of French prisoners during the first world war. The inmates represent - much as did their army - soldiers from all aspects of life. The aristocratic Pierre Fresnay as "Boeldieu", Jean Gabin "Maréchal" and Marcel Dalio "Rosenthal" as the more down to earth captives - but all proud Frenchmen with their own determination to escape their imp...