Nana (1926)

Director:

Jean Renoir

Writers:

Pierre Lestringuez (scenario), Émile Zola (inspired by the novel by),

Stars:

Catherine Hessling, Pierre Lestringuez, Jacqueline Forzane

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Catherine Hessling	...	Nana
Pierre Lestringuez	...	Bordenave (as Pierre Philippe)
Jacqueline Forzane	...	La Comtesse Sabine Muffat
Werner Krauss	...	Le Comte Muffat
Jean Angelo	...	Le Comte de Vandeuvres
Raymond Guérin-Catelain	...	Georges Hugon (as R. Guérin Catelain)
Claude Autant-Lara	...	Fauchery (as Claude Moore)
Pierre Champagne	...	Hector de la Faloise
Karl Harbacher	...	Francis, le coiffeur (as Arbacher)
Valeska Gert	...	Zoe, la femme de chambre
Jacqueline Ford	...	Rose Mignon
Dennis Price	...	Le jockey de 'Nana' (as Price)
Gresham	...	Le jockey de 'Lusignan'
Luc Dartagnan	...	Maréchal, le bookmaker (as Dartagnan)
Nita Romani	...	Satin

Storyline

---

Plot Keywords:

one word title | based on novel | character name in title

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

25 June 1926 (France)

Also Known As:

Nanà

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Films Jean Renoir

Technical Specs

Runtime:

150 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of Nana (1944)

User Reviews

Slaves to love

Another film to cross off my Jean Renoir Complete List, another probably never to watch again. It's not that it's bad, generally it's pretty good and nearly always interesting but it's over-melodramatised and simplified Zola for my taste.

Actress Nana has men especially rich men eating out of the palm of her hand and begging for more, she has at least 3 suitors vying for her courtesan favours. How it all unravels is the subject of the classic tale. And the sets are marvellous, sub-Stroheim, the modern tinting and music very good (Studio Canal), the print clear and sharp, and the photography excellent considering the then technical limitations Renoir had to contend with. The big problem is Hessling's – and the other leads – constant over-acting spoil the flow of the story. Definitely not tres chic! They all make the contemporary British barnstorming actor Todd Slaughter look subtle in comparison, although to be fair for a lot of the time the leading men seemed to understudy statues to Nana's wildly waving arms. As a rule silent films needed expressive acting to hold wandering eyes in the cinemas, but this reminded me of the mickey-taking in Singin' In The Rain. A red blooded male swooningly said at the beginning in response to her stage dancing that she was "the pinnacle of elegance"! And I also doubt whether either sexists or feminists will find anything worthwhile.

But I enjoyed the 129 minutes as I like silent films anyway – if you're only a Renoir completist I think it'll be an ordeal for you to complete. Nice print and tints!