Grand Illusion (1937): Perfery

Grand Illusion

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(1937)Directed by Jean Renoir114 minDrama, History, War

“A Great Drama of Human Emotions”

What holds the men in this German prison camp together is less the war than the question of who each of them is. Captain de Boëldieu (Pierre Fresnay) is a patrician, Lieutenant Maréchal (Jean Gabin) a working man, and their captivity in World War I keeps putting that gap in front of them. Jean Renoir moves them to a fortress, where Captain von Rauffenstein (Erich von Stroheim) watches over de Boëldieu with a regard that complicates every plan to get out.

Jean Gabinas Lieutenant Maréchal

Dita Parloas Elsa

Pierre Fresnayas Captain de Boëldieu

Erich von Stroheimas Captain von Rauffenstein

Julien Caretteas Cartier, the Vaudeville Performer

Georges Pécletas Officer

Werner Florianas Sergeant Arthur

Jean Dastéas Teacher

SI Sylvain Itkineas Lieutenant Demolder

Gaston Modotas Engineer

Marcel Dalioas Lieutenant Rosenthal

Jacques Beckeras British Officer (uncredited)

Habib Bengliaas Senegalese (uncredited)

Pierre Blondyas Soldier (uncredited)

Albert Brouettas Prisoner (uncredited)

Géo Forsteras Maison-Neuve (uncredited)

Georges Fronvalas German Soldier Who Kills Captain de Boëldieu (uncredited)

Karl Heilas Officer of the Fortress (uncredited)

Carl Kochas Von Rauffenstein's Orderly (uncredited)

Little Petersas Elsa's Daughter (uncredited)

Claude Sainvalas Captain Ringis (uncredited)

Michel Salinaas (uncredited)

Claude Vernieras Prussian Officer (uncredited)