On board a train bound for the port city of Le Havre, France, railroad stationmaster Roubard murders Grandmorin, who seduced his beautiful young wife, Severine. Engineer Jacques Lantier, stuck in Le Havre while the train is being repaired, also begins a passionate affair with Severine, who tries to entice the handsome stranger to murder her controlling husband. However, Lantier has a secret urge of his own that changes everything.
Superb performances from Gabin, Simon and Ledoux as the classic tragic love triangle.
– ,
Time Out,
9 Feb 2006
fresh:
Jean Renoir's generous sensibility seems at odds with the sterile determinism of the Zola novel on which this 1938 film was based.
– Dave Kehr,
Chicago Reader,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
It is simply a story; a macabre, grim and oddly-fascinating story.
– Frank S. Nugent,
New York Times,
25 Mar 2006
rotten:
The film has marvellous atmosphere and a fine cast, but the material, which involves brutal, uncontrollable passion seen in a social framework, turns oppressive, and at times Gabin is a lump.