Hotel Du Nord
1938
The Hotel du Nord is a family-run hotel on the edge of the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris. As the family is celebrating a first communion, a young couple checks in, planning a double suicide. Only one shot is fired, and the man, Pierre, flees leaving his lover, Renee, to die in the room. But, he leaves the gun behind and she .. Read more
| Starring | Annabella, Jean-Pierre Aumont, Louis Jouvet |
|---|---|
| Director | Marcel Carne |
| Genres | Drama, World Cinema |
loading...
Hotel Du Nord
The Hotel du Nord is a family-run hotel on the edge of the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris. As the family is celebrating a first communion, a young couple checks in, planning a double suicide. Only one shot is fired, and the man, Pierre, flees leaving his lover, Renee, to die in the room. But, he leaves the gun behind and she survives. A series of convoluted affairs between hotel patrons and staff, as well as passion-fuelled travels across France, ensue - all to end the story in perfect symmetry.
| Starring | Annabella, Jean-Pierre Aumont, Louis Jouvet |
|---|---|
| Director | Marcel Carne |
| Studio | SODA PICTURES |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 35 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama, World Cinema |
| Language | DVD: French |
| Subtitles | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 24 Apr 2006 Production year: 1938 |
| Format | DVD |
-
Critics' reviews (3)
View all -
A brooding study of France on the verge of a precipice, this may not be Marcel Carné's most accomplished work, but it's still undeniably affecting. Though without the services of regular screenwriter, Jacques Prévert, Carné could still rely on designer Alexandre Trauner to reproduce the atmospheric settings that were essential to his poetic realist style. Indeed, the tatty interiors and quaintly rundown canal landmarks are the real stars of a film that only comes fitfully to life. Doomed lovers Annabella and Jean-Pierre Aumont are just a touch too tragic, while Arletty and Louis Jouvet are a little too unbridled in their villainy.
-
Melancholy, studio-confined character drama which has its adherents but technically seemed a throwback to earlier standards. The acting rescues it.
-
Most helpful member's review
View all -
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful
On viewing a classic French film
As an aging film buff from what was called the 'Movie Generation', I find it great that one can call up this sort of film in preference to the mindless blockbusters and endless sequels to films I avoid. I know your list is the longest, perhaps because so much of it is dross.
I have viewed 'Les Enfants du Paridis' many times with enormous pleasure. 'Hotel du Nord', Carne's earlier film is slower but fascinating. The people seem fairly real, if some of their actions are not too believable. It is romantic in the manner one used to think of the French, perhaps it was films like this that engendered that opinion. Killing oneself (or attempting it)for love may work for Romeo and Juliet, but for a Depression era story in a world about to go to war; I don't think so. The women, Annabella and Arletty are gorgeous, feminine and womanly (and chic although supposedly impoverished) in manner rather lacking in present day actresses (or must one say 'actors' to further de-sex them?).
A very worth-while 'blast from the past'
Harold W. Rubin -
Most recent members' review
View all -
0 out of 1 person found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Intriguing
This film flows along as if you are in a dream.I think a 2nd view would be even better.
-
More like this
View allShowing 1 to 4 of 20
Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop
-
-
- Hotel Du Nord
- DVD: £13.93
Free Delivery - RRP £19.79 (you save: 30%)
The Hotel du Nord is a family-run hotel on the edge of the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris. As the family is celebrating a first communion, a young couple checks in, planning a double suicide. Only one ... -