Grand Illusion
La Grande Illusion
France • 1937 • 1h 54m
Director
#1Criterion Collection →Synopsis
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.
Synopsis
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.
Credits
Crew
DirectorJean Renoir
WriterJean Renoir
CinematographerChristian Matras
ComposerJoseph Kosma
EditorMarthe Huguet, Marguerite Renoir
ProducerFrank Rollmer, Albert Pinkovitch
Cast
Jean Gabinas Le lieutenant Maréchal
Pierre Fresnayas Le capitaine de Boëldieu
Erich von Stroheimas Le capitaine von Rauffenstein