Review: Grand Illusion (1938)

Grand Illusion

Rating

Director

Jean Renoir

Screenplay

Charles Spaak, Jean Renoir

Length

1h 53m

Starring

Jean Gabin, Dita Parlo, Pierre Fresnay, Erich von Stroheim, Carette, Peclet, Werner Florian, Daste, Itkine, Modot, Dalio

MPAA Rating

Not Rated

Review

Although we continue to get pro- and anti-war films in a modern framework, looking back at those from decades prior can often give us an insight into similar mindsets and Grand Illusion gives us a unique perspective that doesn’t often come from American films.

Looking through history, war films have tended towards depictions of violence and destruction as a method of showcasing the frailties of war. One of cinema history’s greatest anti-war films portrayed German soldiers with affinity. All Quiet on the Western Front remains today one of the finest examples of war depiction. 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.

Offered preferential treatment as prisoners of war, the officers of the French army of World War I struggle with their confinement and prepare for their eventual escape. Thwarted at various turns by forces outside their control, they are shuffled from compound to compound as we see relations between the aristocracy and the working man blend harmoniously in spite of their origins. War is the great equalizer and Renoir recognizes this, using his film to showcase the commonality shared by human beings and foreshadowing the dangers of rising tensions leading up to World War II.

The film also looks at prejudice-crushing stereotypes with its portrayal of a nouveau-riche Jew and later highlighting the disdain shown towards a single Black officer sharing quarters with the white officers. Renoir’s progressive idealism shows through in his sharp dialogue and pensive explorations of the film’s various themes. The differences between rich and poor, Black and white, Jew and Christian are deconstructed and rebuilt in one of the most forward-thinking treatises from the 1930s.

Renoir was an idealist and realist. He recognized that the future would continue on the same recycling track unless people came together. His sentiments are as true 87 years ago as they are today and in spite of the caution he and many others have advised, we continue down the same repetitive path towards the illusion of equality and that any war could be considered the war to end all wars when the cycle perpetuates.

Grand Illusion presents a civilized vision of war that is no less astute or condemning. Perhaps it’s the insightful dialogue or the convincing commitment of a terrific cast. Whatever the reason, this is one of the most pensive and significant achievements in anti-war cinema.