L'Atalante (1934)

Newly married couple Juliette and a ship captain Jean struggle through marriage as they travel on the L'atalante along with the captain's first mate Le père Jules and a cabin boy.

Director:

Jean Vigo

Writers:

Jean Guinée (scenario), Albert Riéra (adaptation)

Stars:

Dita Parlo, Jean Dasté, Michel Simon

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Michel Simon	...	Le père Jules
Dita Parlo	...	Juliette
Jean Dasté	...	Jean
Gilles Margaritis	...	Le camelot (junkman)
Louis Lefebvre	...	Le gosse (cabin boy)
Maurice Gilles	...	Le chef de bureau
Raphaël Diligent	...	Raspoutine, le batelier (as Rafa Diligent)

Storyline

When Juliette marries Jean, she comes to live with him as he captains a river barge. Besides the two of them, are a cabin boy and the strange old second mate Pere Jules. Soon bored by life on the river, she slips off to see the nightlife when they come to Paris. Angered by this, Jean sets off, leaving Juliette behind. Overcome by grief and longing for his wife, Jean falls into a depression and Pere Jules goes and tries to find Juliette.

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Plot Keywords:

barge | depression | marriage | underwater | surrealism | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French Russian

Release Date:

21 June 1947 (USA)

Also Known As:

L'Atalante

Filming Locations:

Bassin de la Villette, Paris 19, Paris, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jean-Louis Nounez

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is included on Roger Ebert's "Great Movies" list.

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Connections

Referenced in Suuri illusioni (1985)

User Reviews

One of the Greats of Cinema! A Poetic Masterpiece!

The beauty of this film is undeniable, unfortunately, it was butchered upon release, harming it's initial critical and audience reception. Thankfully! Today, we can glory in the masterful restoration of this true cinema classic. If you know anything about Jean Vigo and his work, you are familiar with his place in cinema history. He is the true "enfant" genius of film.

Zero pour Conduite and L'Atalante are two films which routinely appear on those annoying "Ten Best Films of All Time" lists. Lists which normally seek to squeeze in as many films as possible into 10 slots. (Those Sight & Sound people don't seem to be able to understand what 10 means!) Anyway, if you are a REAL Movie Lover (not somebody who ranks Tarantino or The Sixth Sense as masterpieces, get real) you will come to the films of Jean Vigo at some point in your moviegoing experiences.

Be prepared for poetic visuals which manage to combine the grittiness and mundane of everyday life with flourishes of surreal moments and true romantic splendor which captivate the heart of the movie lover.

This film should not be overly analyzed. Just sit back and enjoy the beauty of this mood piece. Vigo was a genius who could make a filthy barge look like the most beautiful object in movie history! All of the traditional elements are there. The acting and design are perfect without being showy. The cinematography can FINALLY be enjoyed due to the terrific restoration process! WHY ISN'T THIS FILM ON DVD????

But the magic of this film is due only to the indefinable genius that was Jean Vigo. If you truly love movies, you must watch this gem. (but please try your best to see the restored version, it will captivate you!)