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Grand Illusion

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97% Tomatometer 74 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
A group of French soldiers, including the patrician Captain de Boeldieu (Pierre Fresnay) and the working-class Lieutenant Maréchal (Jean Gabin), 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 (Erich von Stroheim), who has formed an unexpected bond with de Boeldieu.
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Grand Illusion

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Jean Renoir's Grand Illusion is a masterful anti-war statement, bringing humane insight and an undercurrent of ironic humor to an unusual relationship between captor and captive.

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Critics Reviews

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Otis Ferguson The New Republic A little more art (always as opposed to artifice or the arty) could have heightened the beauty and truth of this film, which already has as much as we’ve seen anywhere this year. Dec 26, 2023 Full Review Kevin Maher The Times (UK) It's a smart choice and a peerless film that makes sweeping rhetorical statements about the futility of war while maintaining a laser-sharp focus on an ensemble of meticulously drawn characters. Rated: 5/5 Jan 30, 2021 Full Review Mick LaSalle San Francisco Chronicle The greatest World War I movie ever made (and there were lots of good ones)... Nov 3, 2018 Full Review Wesley Lovell Cinema Sight On the other side of the coin is Jean Renoir’s interpersonal exploration of war, class distinction, and prejudice. Grand Illusion is a film that never once places a scene on the battlefield. Rated: 4/4 Jul 6, 2025 Full Review Ian Kane Epoch Times This timeless classic still resonates today, as it offers a hopeful reflection on the illusions that shape our world, and the enduring connections that unite humanity across all borders, classes, and conflicts. Rated: 4.5/5 Sep 27, 2024 Full Review Diana Tuova Spotlight on Film La Grande Illusion is not only an insightful film which makes a powerful statement on the absurdities of war with a hint of satire, but also a profound picture overall, full of human warmth and hope for the future.  Rated: 5/5 Jul 18, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stephen C Failure in 1 hour and 53 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The cast and crew are unreliable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 06/09/25 Full Review William B A great classic. One of the best of French films. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/14/25 Full Review BowTangey M The most interesting facet of this famed antiwar movie is that it was made in 1937, about the First World War, before the horrors of the Second showed how little had been learned. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/03/25 Full Review Marit Risto F I just love it. The way they're making a joke of war. Made by Pierre-Auguste Renoir's son! Jean Gabin I find fabulous too. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/11/24 Full Review Eli B Grand Illusion explores the idea of social class and the bonds that are formed between people who are on opposite sides of a conflict. Through the interactions between the French and German soldiers, the movie highlights the common humanity that exists between people, regardless of nationality. Full review: https://cinephilecorner.com/reviews/grand-illusion-movie-1937/ Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/21/24 Full Review harwee h Renoir at his peak. A classic of classic. Minor shortcomings keep it from being perfect. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Grand Illusion

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Cast & Crew

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Jean Renoir

Director

Pierre Fresnay

Capt. de Boieldieu

Erich von Stroheim

Capt. von Rauffenstein

Jean Gabin

Lt. Maréchal

Marcel Dalio

Lt. Rosenthal

Dita Parlo

Elsa (farm woman)

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Grand Illusion

Grand Illusion (1937) Grand Illusion (1937) Grand Illusion (1937) Grand Illusion (1937) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A group of French soldiers, including the patrician Captain de Boeldieu (Pierre Fresnay) and the working-class Lieutenant Maréchal (Jean Gabin), 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 (Erich von Stroheim), who has formed an unexpected bond with de Boeldieu.
Director
Jean Renoir
Producer
Albert Pinkovitch, Frank Rollmer
Distributor
Home Vision Entertainment, Barr Entertainment
Production Co
R.A.C.
Genre
Drama, War
Original Language
Canadian French
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 12, 1937, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
May 11, 2012
Release Date (Streaming)
May 14, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$516.5K
Runtime
1h 53m