Grand Illusion poster

Grand Illusion

A Great Drama of Human Emotions

7.9(807)19371h 54m6

A group of French soldiers, including the patrician Captain de Boeldieu and the working-class Lieutenant Maréchal, grapple with their own class differences after being captured and held in a World War I German prison camp. When the men are transferred to a high-security fortress, they must concoct a plan to escape beneath the watchful eye of aristocratic German officer von Rauffenstein, who has formed an unexpected bond with de Boeldieu.

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Status
Released
Budget
—
Box office
$172.9K
Language
Russian
  • prisoner
  • france
  • countryside
  • escape
  • germany
  • world war i
  • prisoner of war
  • brotherhood
  • camp
  • aristocrat
  • fraternity
  • war injury

Top billed cast

Behind the camera

Director

Jean Renoir

Produced in

France

Where to watch

All options

Availability for United States. Provided by JustWatch through the TMDB API.

Gallery

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Videos

Release dates

  • United StatesUS

    • TheatricalNR12 Sept 1938
    • TVNew York City, New York18 Aug 1939
    • TheatricalNRRe-release27 Aug 1999
  • United KingdomGB

    • Theatrical1 Jan 1938
    • TheatricalRe-release24 Jul 1998
    • TheatricalRe-release6 Apr 2012
    • PremiereLeeds International Film Festival7 Nov 2014
  • ArgentinaAR

    • Theatrical+1314 Apr 1938
  • BelgiumBE

    • TheatricalBrussels18 Jun 1937
  • BrazilBR

    • TheatricalLRe-release24 Aug 2001
    • Theatrical (limited)LCineSesc ("Sessão Especial: Clássicos do Cinema de Rua")19 Jul 2026
  • CroatiaHR

    • Theatrical12 Jan 1938
  • DenmarkDK

    • Theatrical22 Nov 1937
    • TheatricalRe-release8 Sept 1959
    • TheatricalRe-release2 Jul 1964
  • FinlandFI

    • TheatricalK-1631 Oct 1937
    • TheatricalRe-release1 May 1959
    • TheatricalRe-release27 Jul 1979
  • FranceFR

    • PremiereParis8 Jun 1937
    • TheatricalTPRe-release7 Sept 1944
    • TheatricalTPRe-release21 Jun 1972
    • TheatricalTPRestored Version15 Feb 2012
    • PremiereLumière Film Festival11 Oct 2020
  • GermanyDE

    • Theatrical1210 Sept 1948
    • TVEast Germany29 Dec 1970
  • ItalyIT

    • PremiereVenice Film Festival18 Aug 1937
    • TheatricalT10 Dec 1947
    • TheatricalRe-release3 Mar 2014
    • TVByoblu20 Dec 2022
  • JapanJP

    • Theatrical21 May 1949

Frequently asked questions

Grand Illusion was released on 18 June 1937.

Audience reviews

1
  • C

    CinemaSerf

    6/20/2022

    7/10

    Very much more of a character-driven look at the experiences of French prisoners during the first world war. The inmates represent - much as did their army - soldiers from all aspects of life. The aristocratic Pierre Fresnay as "Boeldieu", Jean Gabin "Maréchal" and Marcel Dalio "Rosenthal" as the more down to earth captives - but all proud Frenchmen with their own determination to escape their imprisonment. The film …

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