Review of La Bête Humaine (1938) by Bernard A — 20 Apr 2010
The paunchy and balding middle-aged stationmaster, Roubaud (Fernand Ledoux) declines an invitation to meet at the cafe after work for a friendly game of cards. Roubaud explains that he just isn't good at cards and besides, his wife is home waiting for him. Roubaud's friend, a bit enviously, calls Roubaud a "lucky devil". Who can blame him... as Roubaud's wife turns out to be a surprisingly young sex kitten named Severine (Simone Simon). How this unlikely couple ever became a pair isn't exactly explained in the film but the raw emotions which eventually boil over provides the impetus that propels this classic french drama. The railroad station at Le Havre is the milieu for director Jean Renoir's LA BETE HUMAINE and steam engines serves as the metaphor for the lives of the characters.
Jacques Lantier (Jean Gabin) is a train engineer forced to lay up for a few days at Le Havre due to engine problems. Jacques has personal "engine" problems of his own (if you know what I mean) but this doesn't stop him from having an affair with the sexy station master's wife, Severine. Lantier has some leverage with the relationship - as Lantier is a witness to a crime of passion committed by Severine's insanely jealous husband - the aforementioned stationmaster Roubaud. LA BETE HUMAINE translates to THE HUMAN BEAST and aptly describes some of the characters in this.
The scenes shot onboard the trains are very well done...beautifully conveying the raw power of the mechanical beasts.
Fritz Lang remade this in his 1954 noir classic - HUMAN DESIRE with Glenn Ford & Gloria Grahame which I saw a few months ago. HUMAN DESIRE, which I liked a lot, now seems tame in comparison to Renoir's original.
LA BETE HUMAINE 8.5.
HUMAN DESIRE 8.
This review of La Bête Humaine (1938) was written by Bernard A on 20 Apr 2010.
La Bête Humaine has generally received very positive reviews.
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