La Marseillaise (1937)

88% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
74% of users liked it
(226 ratings)

Jean Renoir's epic account of the French Revolution juxtaposes the opulent life of King Louis XVI with the poverty of the commoners who rose up to overthrow the monarchy in 1789. The film's title comes from the rallying song which grew out of the peasants' march on the Bastille, the song that… More Jean Renoir's epic account of the French Revolution juxtaposes the opulent life of King Louis XVI with the poverty of the commoners who rose up to overthrow the monarchy in 1789. The film's title comes from the rallying song which grew out of the peasants' march on the Bastille, the song that ultimately became the French national anthem. Filmed with a cast of thousands, the focus is on two members of a large volunteer battalion who help the revolutionary army in its takeover of the Tulleries, which resulted in the publication of the Brunswick Manifesto and ultimately led to King Louis' downfall. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 10 min.
Directed By: Jean Renoir
Genres: Drama, Special Interest

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1937 Wide

Critic Reviews

Frank S. Nugent, New York Times
It is probably the least dramatic film ever made about one of the most dramatic events in history -- the French Revolution.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Fascinating (but not wholly successful).
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
An heroic romanticized telling of the French Revolution of 1789.
Sean Axmaker, Turner Classic Movies Online
... the heady, idealistic days of the French Revolution as seen from the street, through the eyes of an idealistic group of Republicans from Marseilles...
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Released on the heels of the brilliant Grand Illusion, its reception suffered from the belief that a director can't make two masterpieces in a row.
Derek Adams, Time Out
It is a relief, too, to see the lingering archaism of the earlier sections of the film swept away in an astonishing last third of quiet power.
, Film4
Powerful and poignant, Renoir manages to make a direct, humanist statement about the decadance of the rich and the power of the masses without fuss or extravagance, never patronising or posturing.

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Cast

            Pierre Renoir as Louis XVI

            Lise Delamare as Marie Antoinette

            Louis Jouvet as Roederer

            Leon Larive as Picard

            Aimé Clariond as M. de Saint-Laurent

            Maurice Escande as Le Seigneur du Village

            Andrex as Honore Arnaud

            Paul Dullac as Javel

            Jenny Hélia as L'interpellatrice

            Jean-Louis Allibert as Moissan

            Nadia Sibirskaïa as Louison

            William Aguet as La Rochefoucald

            Jean Aquistapace as Maire du village

            Edmond Ardisson as Jean-Joseph Bomier

            Jean Aymé as M. de Fougerolles

            Edmond Beauchamp as Le cure

            Julien Carette as Un volontaire

            Edmond Castel as Leroux

            Jaque Catelain as Capt. Langlade

            Edouard Delmont as Cabri le paysan

            Fernana Flament as Ardisson

            G. Lef_bure as Mme. Elisabeth

            Gaston Modot as Un volontaire

            Pierre Nay as Dubouchage

            Georges Péclet as Lt. Pignatel

            Elisa Ruis as Mme. de Lamballe

            Georges Spanelly as La Chesnaye

            Pamela Stirling as Suivante

            Severine Lerczynska as Farm Woman
See full cast

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