La Grande Illusion

Content Warnings

Overall Severity: 🟡 50/100
Total warning time: 1m 45s
Sex/Nudity: 🟢 20/100 (30s)
  • 🟡 30/100 [00:45:30 - 00:46:00] Brief scene with a woman in revealing clothing.
Drug Use: 🟢 10/100 (20s)
  • 🟢 10/100 [01:15:20 - 01:15:40] Characters are seen drinking alcohol.
Violence: 🔴 70/100 (50s)
  • 🔴 80/100 [00:20:10 - 00:20:30] A character is shot and killed.
  • 🟡 60/100 [01:30:45 - 01:31:15] A fight breaks out between prisoners and guards.
Strong Language: 🟢 10/100 (5s)
  • 🟢 10/100 [00:55:05 - 00:55:10] Mild profanity is used.
La Grande Illusion
Year: 1937
Runtime: 113 min
Genre: Drama, War
IMDB: 8.1
Votes: 33829
Gross: 172,885
Director: Jean Renoir
Stars: Jean Gabin, Dita Parlo, Pierre Fresnay, Erich von Stroheim
Overview: During WWI, two French soldiers are captured and imprisoned in a German P.O.W. camp. Several escape attempts follow until they are eventually sent to a seemingly inescapable fortress.

Movie FAQ

Q: What is the main plot of La Grande Illusion (1937)?
A: La Grande Illusion is a French war drama directed by Jean Renoir. The film follows a group of French prisoners of war during World War I as they plan their escape from a German POW camp. The story explores themes of class, nationalism, and the illusion of war.
Q: Who are the main actors in La Grande Illusion?
A: The film stars Jean Gabin as Lieutenant Maréchal, Pierre Fresnay as Captain de Boeldieu, Erich von Stroheim as Captain von Rauffenstein, and Dita Parlo as Elsa, a German widow who shelters the escaped prisoners.
Q: What themes are explored in La Grande Illusion?
A: La Grande Illusion explores themes such as the futility of war, the breakdown of class barriers, and the bonds of humanity that transcend national and social divisions. The film critiques the notion that war serves any noble purpose, highlighting instead the shared experiences of soldiers on both sides.
Q: Why is La Grande Illusion considered a significant film?
A: La Grande Illusion is considered a landmark in cinema for its humanistic portrayal of war and its innovative narrative structure. It was one of the first films to depict the camaraderie among soldiers from opposing sides and was banned by the Nazis for its anti-war message. It remains a classic of French cinema.
Q: Who directed La Grande Illusion?
A: La Grande Illusion was directed by Jean Renoir, one of the most influential filmmakers in French cinema. Renoir, the son of painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir, is known for his realistic and humanistic storytelling.