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"The greatest film ever made."
—Paul Schrader
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La Règle du Jeu (1939)
Nouvelle Édition Française.
B&W, 113 minutes.
Its Paris opening in 1939 was a disaster: the film was withdrawn, recut, and eventually banned by the occupying forces for its "demoralizing" effects. It was not shown again in its complete form until 1965, when it became clear that here, perhaps, was the greatest film ever made. "The rules of the game," said Jean Renoir, "are those which must be observed in society if one wishes to avoid being crushed." His protagonist, a pilot (Roland Toutain), breaks the rules: he believes that his love for a wealthy married woman (Nora Grégor) is strong enough to lift him above society, above morality. At a weekend hunting party, he learns it is not—that nothing is.
—Dave Kehr
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Jean Renoir, Roland Toutain, and Nora Grégor in The Rules of the Game |
Jean Renoir (second from left) directing a scene in The Rules of the Game |
Direction: Jean Renoir.
Screenplay and dialogue: Jean Renoir, with the collaboration of Carl Koch.
Photography: Jean Bachelet.
Editing: Marguerite Renoir.
Art Direction: Eugène Lourié, Max Douy.
Music: Mozart, Monsigny, Sallabert, Johann Strauss, Saint-Saëns, Chopin; arranged by Roger Désormières and Joseph Kosma.
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Marcel Dalio.....................................Robert de La Chesnaye
Nora Grégor..................................Christine de La Chesnaye
Roland Toutain.................................................André Jurieu
Jean Renoir.............................................................Octave
Mila Parély.........................................Geneviève de Marrast
Paulette Dubost........................................................Lisette
Gaston Modot..................................................Schumacher
Julien Carette........................................................Marceau
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A scene from The Rules of the Game
"The credo of film lovers,
the film of films,
the most despised on its release
and the most valued afterward."
—François Truffaut
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