Le dernier métro (1980)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

François Truffaut

Writers:

François Truffaut (scenario) &
Suzanne Schiffman (scenario) ...

Release Date:

19 February 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

A story of love and conflict.

Plot:

In occupied Paris, an actress married to a Jewish theater owner must keep him hidden from the Nazis while doing both of their jobs.

Plot Keywords:

Theater | Paris | Nazi | French Resistance | Ménage À Trois

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 12 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Catherine Deneuve	...	Marion Steiner
Gérard Depardieu	...	Bernard Granger
Jean Poiret	...	Jean-Loup Cottins
Andréa Ferréol	...	Arlette Guillaume
Paulette Dubost	...	Germaine Fabre
Jean-Louis Richard	...	Daxiat
Maurice Risch	...	Raymond Boursier
Sabine Haudepin	...	Nadine Marsac
Heinz Bennent	...	Lucas Steiner
Christian Baltauss	...	Bernard's Replacement
Pierre Belot	...	Desk Clerk
René Dupré	...	Valentin
Aude Loring
Alain Tasma	...	Marc
Rose Thiéry	...	Jacquot's Mother / Concierge (as Rose Thierry)

Also Known As:

The Last Metro (International: English title)

Runtime:

131 min | France:133 min (director's cut)

Country:

France

Language:

French | German

Color:

Color (Fujicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | UK:PG | Singapore:NC-16 | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Sweden:11 | USA:PG | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Clichy, Hauts-de-Seine, France

Company:

Les Films du Carrosse

Trivia:

When Lucas talks to Marion about a play he saw in London, he is alluding to Patrick Hamilton's "Gaslight", which was twice made into a movie, by Thorold Dickinson in 1940, and by George Cukor in 1944.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: In one scene in the cellar, during a conversation between Marion and Lucas, we can see the sound recordist hiding himself in a corner of the cellar.

Movie Connections:

References Jud Süß (1940)

Soundtrack:

Prière à Zumba

Another Magnificent Movie of Truffault, A Homage to Theatrics

In 1942, in a Paris occupied by the Nazis, Marion Steiner (Catherine Deneuve) is a former cinema and presently theater actress, who has also to manage the Montmartre Theater and its company. Her Jewish husband Lucas Steiner (Heinz Bennent), the writer, director and owner of the theater, has officially moved to South America, escaping from the Germans. Indeed he is hidden in the basement of the building. Bernard Granger (Gérard Depardieu) is a promising actor hired to act with Marion in a new play. The survival of the theater depends on the success of this play. Marion falls in love with Bernard, but hides her feelings due to her respect for her husband. Although having a very simple story, this movie is marvelous. The story is a great homage to theatrics, where not only the persons wants to survive, but also desire to save what they love: the theater. I recalled the movie `Il Viaggio di Capitan Fracassa', where theatrics is also honored. It is a love story in times of war. It is a human story, where citizens are presented trying to have a normal life, even having to share their sovereignty and culture with the invaders. It is not corny in any moment. The direction is from one of my favorites directors, François Truffault, who was born in 1932, therefore, he was a ten years old boy when this story begins. Certainly he has had a great experience of life in an occupied country and how life goes on. The beauty and the performance of Catherine Deneuve are astonishing. Gérard Depardieu is in an excellent shape and has also a wonderful performance. Although having 133 min. running time, the film is not long, since the story hooks the attention of the viewer. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): `O Último Metrô' (`The Last Subway Train')