The Last Metro

1980

2h 11m

IMDb RATING

7.2/10

511

YOUR RATING

Rate

POPULARITY

Play trailer

1 Video

52 Images

Drama

Romance

War

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

Directors

François Truffaut

Writers

François Truffaut(screenplay by)

Suzanne Schiffman(screenplay by)

Jean-Claude Grumberg(dialogue by)

Stars

Catherine Deneuve

Gérard Depardieu

Jean Poiret

See production, box office & company info

Top cast

Marion Steiner

Bernard Granger

Jean-Loup Cottins

Arlette Guillaume

Germaine Fabre

Daxiat

Raymond Boursier

Lucas Steiner

Nadine Marsac

Lucien Ballard, Bernard's Replacement

Desk Clerk

Valentin

Mrs Wiedekind

Marc, Jean-Loup's Assistant

Rose Thiéry

Jacquot's Mother …

Jacob Weizbluth

Rosen, rejected actor

Jean-Pierre Klein

Christian Leglise

Renata Flores

Greta Borg, Nightclub Singer

Directors

François Truffaut

Writers

François Truffaut(screenplay by)

Suzanne Schiffman(screenplay by)

Jean-Claude Grumberg(dialogue by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Despite, or possibly because of, the Nazi occupation of Paris in 1942 the theatres and cinemas of the city are thriving. One of the most popular was in Montmartre and run by the Steiners. Now he's a Jew so they decide it best he leaves for the Vichy and the theatre in the hands of his actress wife "Marion" (Catherine Deneuve). Rather aptly, they decide to present a new play called "the Disappearance" and draft in "Granger" (Gerard Depardieu) to co-star with "Marion" under the director "Jean-Loup" (Jean Poiret). Now it's fair to say that "Granger" is a bit of a womaniser - but the object of his desires here, who happens to be the costumier "Arlette" (Andréa Ferrêol), wouldn't touch him with a flagpole. Their best laid plans as a troupe is to survive what's left of the war in one piece, and with dangers around every corner as well as rationing, they have their work cut out. As the story develops, we come to realise that both "Marion" and her co-star have secrets to keep and their make or break production will also be seen by the arch anti-semite critic "Daxiat" (Jean-Louis Richard) who could readily undo all of their hard work and see them all on the scrapheap. There's loads of chemistry here and François Truffaut manages to inject some dark humour into an environment that's admittedly riddled with fear, but that also presents us with some insights into the lives of these artistes who compete, contrive and contrast with each other in just about every aspect of their daily lives. It's a film about bravery, courage and determination - often found in the least likely of places, and Deneuve offers us a powerfully engaging characterisation that epitomises the concept of less is more. It takes it's time, so settle down with a glass of decent Malbec and you ought to enjoy some talent at the top of their game.

Geronimo196725 Jul, 2024