Boudu Saved from Drowning (1932)
"Boudu sauvé des eaux" (original title)

Boudu, a tramp, jumps into the Seine. He is rescued by Mr Lestingois, a gentle and good bookseller, who gives shelter to him. Mrs Lestingois and the maid Anne-Marie (Mr Lestingois' mistress... See full summary »

Director:

Jean Renoir

Writer:

René Fauchois (play)

Stars:

Michel Simon, Marcelle Hainia, Sévérine Lerczinska

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Michel Simon	...	Priape Boudu
Marcelle Hainia	...	Emma Lestingois
Sévérine Lerczinska	...	Chloë Anne Marie, la bonne
Jean Gehret	...	Vigour
Max Dalban	...	Godin
Jean Dasté	...	L'étudiant
Charles Granval	...	Édouard Lestingois (as Charles Granval Sociétaire de la Comédie Française)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Geneviève Cadix

Storyline

Boudu, a tramp, jumps into the Seine. He is rescued by Mr Lestingois, a gentle and good bookseller, who gives shelter to him. Mrs Lestingois and the maid Anne-Marie (Mr Lestingois' mistress) are far from delighted, for Boudu is lazy, dirty and salacious...

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Plot Keywords:

tramp | paris france | drowning | homelessness | rescue from drowning | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

23 February 1967 (USA)

Also Known As:

Boudu Saved from Drowning

Filming Locations:

Berges de la Seine, Paris, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Établissements Jacques Haïk, Les Productions Michel Simon, Crédit Cinématographique Français (CCF)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Tobis-Klangfilm)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.19 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The poet on the bench at the beginning is Jacques Becker, assistant director for that movie. He later directed Casque d'Or and other famous movies.

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Quotes

Édouard Lestingois: The man who spits in Balzac's "Physiology of Marriage" is less than nothing to me.
Priape Boudu: Who is that man?
Édouard Lestingois: Ask my wife.

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Connections

Remade as Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986)

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Soundtracks

"Danube bleu (An der Schönen, blauen Donau)"
Composed by Johann Strauß (uncredited)
Arranged by Raphaël

User Reviews

A comedy? More a social commentary.

It's a movie with some more subtle humor but nevertheless it's not really a movie that could ever make me laugh, which was mostly because due to Michel Simon his very over the top portrayal of the tramp Boudu. You know, the kind of performance in which he plays his character constantly in a drunk way in an attempt to make him look funny. Also his look is far from convincing, with his fake looking beard and big wig. Hello afro! It just isn't the best or most likable character imaginable. When it comes down to French comedy from the early days of cinema ('20' and '30's) this really isn't the best the genre has to offer. For instance you're way better off watching a René Clair movie.

The movie can be seen as a social commentary to the French bourgeoisie and difference between classes. It's this element mostly that makes the movie an interesting watch. No denying that Jean Renoir was a great director who knew how to set up a story and scenes. He also always gets his point across, without having to force too much. Like always, he also in this movie uses some interesting sequences that have deeper meanings to it and the movie is filled with some metaphors.

As you could expect from a Jean Renoir movie, it's also technically a good one. The movie features some interesting camera-shots, which must have also been really original and revolutionary for its time. The editing isn't always too great however.

Not Renoir's best but it's an enjoyable enough little movie.

7/10

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