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Poster for La Bête Humaine

La Bête Humaine

1938 · 1h 38m · NOT RATED Drama, Romance, Thriller
Directed by Jean Renoir

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Overview

Returning by train to the French port of Le Havre, Jacques Lantier, a tormented railwayman, meets by chance the impulsive stationmaster Roubard and Séverine, his wife.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
93%
Tomatometer
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.

Pauline Kael, New Yorker
Fresh

It is simply a story; a macabre, grim and oddly-fascinating story.

Frank S. Nugent, New York Times
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
Fresh

Superb performances from Gabin, Simon and Ledoux as the classic tragic love triangle.

Time Out

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