Grand Illusion: Essential Art House

Director: Jean Renoir
Actors: Erich Von Stroheim, Jean Gabin, Jean Daste, Pierre Fresnay, Marcel Dalio
Studio: Criterion Collection
Category: DVD

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Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars 1 reviews
Sales Rank: 24715

Format: Ac-3, Black & White, Dolby, Dvd-video, Full Screen, Ntsc, Subtitled
Languages: English (Subtitled), French (Original Language)
Rating: Unrated
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 114 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6

MPN: 2
UPC: 715515032629
EAN: 0715515032629
ASIN: B001BEK8DI

Theatrical Release Date: 1937
Release Date: September 9, 2008
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Grand Illusion: Essential Art House

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Customer Reviews



3 out of 5 stars Superb camera work, but most folks will not enjoy this "message film." (No offense to those who like this film)    July 30, 2008
tendays komyathy (U.S.A. & elsewhere traveling)
1 out of 12 found this review helpful

If you have never seen this film, picture this: Erich von Stroheim as "Rauffenstein" sitting at a table in his commandant's uniform, wearing a neck brace and white gloves. "Marechal" (played by Jean Gabin), his French prisoner of war, stands before him. The German commandant, report in hand, reads aloud the fact that Marechal has 5 previous escape attempts. He shakes his head, as he continues readings, one time "disguised as a woman", referring to Marechal's escape exploits. "Amusing, very amusing." To which a smiling Marechal responds, "But less so when a NCO tried to pick me up. That I didn't like!" Commandant: "Indeed?" Marechal, still smiling: "I assure you." This is the tone of this film for those amongst you who only know this is supposed to be a great film, but know little about it. In essence, it's a contrast between social classes, of an aristocratic age giving way to working class reality. Early in the film Marechal and his compatriot Boldieu, having been shot down by Rauffenstein himself, are invited to dine with their captor, thanks to Boldieu's aristocratic status. So this subsequent scene is a reunion of sorts. As the film progresses we see Rauffenstein reach out to Bolieu as a fellow career officer and aristocrat. Boldieu, however, in the end, sacrifices himself for his fellow countrymen; showing that nationalism is stronger than class. The director, laments this, and it is this which is the point of the film. That said, is this a great film? (That's why you're reading this, I presume; to gauge whether this film might interest you or not.) I would posit that the message herein, as indicated above, is the primary reason this film is raved about; Jean Renoir's deft direction notwithstanding. The substance of the film, conversely, is less grand. First of all, this military film is peopled primarily by officers only. Moreover, the POW camp environments depicted herein are rather comfortable looking. The prisoners eat well (thanks, in part, to some food parcels from home), they have books, they appear in clean uniforms, etc. They even receive a huge crate from home full of ladies clothing---dresses, shoes, wigs, corsets, the works!---so that they (for some reason, primarily only British soldiers in this French production!) can put on a cabaret drag show. Presumably, this is supposed to boost morale, but if anything the life these prisoners seem to lead is far too cheerful; full of cheekiness too. To boot, as their escape tunnel nears completion, some even express mixed feelings about leaving their camp! (Incidentally, this is not an "escape" film, however much this review may seem otherwise. They talk about it a bit, and prepare for it little more. But we only see one escape attempt in this film and that consists of two soldiers going over a wall.) That few seem especially keen on escaping is actually logical, in the sense that few of these soldiers are seemingly interested in fighting anyway---director's commentary on the idiocy of war, I assume. Jean Renoir did declare himself a pacifist, after all, around the time he made this film. So there you have it---a great film if you're so inclined as well; otherwise, judging this film on cinematic grounds only, not as substantial as its reputation. Cheers!