In this classic adaptation of Emile Zola's novel, a tortured train engineer falls in love with a troubled married woman who has helped her husband commit a murder.In this classic adaptation of Emile Zola's novel, a tortured train engineer falls in love with a troubled married woman who has helped her husband commit a murder.In this classic adaptation of Emile Zola's novel, a tortured train engineer falls in love with a troubled married woman who has helped her husband commit a murder.
- Awards
- 1 nomination
- Pecqueux
- (as Carette)
- Roubaud
- (as Ledoux de la Comédie Française)
- Dauvergne
- (as Gerard Landry)
- Philomène Sauvagnat
- (as Jenny Helia)
- Victoire Pecqueux
- (as Colette Regis)
- Une voyageuse
- (as Claire Gerard)
- Tante Phasie
- (as Germaine Clasis)
- Grandmorin
- (as Berlioz)
- Dabadie
- (as Cortegianni)
- Un lampiste
- (as Perez)
- Commissaire Cauche
- (as Roussel)
- Un lampiste
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaJean Gabin learned how to operate a locomotive before shooting.
- GoofsAt about the 0:28:00 mark the boom mic shadows moves on the far left wall.
- Quotes
Jacques Lantier: Pecqueux, I have to tell you something. Don't say a word and don't move. I killed her. That's right, I killed her. It's all over. I'll never see her again. It'll be the death of me, I know it. I couldn't bear to hold her anymore. I loved her, you know? I loved her little hands most of all. But there's one thing I don't get: why haven't they arrested me?
- Alternate versionsThere is an Italian edition of this film on DVD, distributed by DNA srl, "LA BÊTE HUMAINE (L'angelo del male, 1938) + VERSO LA VITA (1936)" (2 Films on a single DVD), re-edited with the contribution of film historian Riccardo Cusin. This version is also available for streaming on some platforms.
- ConnectionsEdited into Histoire(s) du cinéma: Une histoire seule (1989)
This is a beautifully photographed, bleak story with the symbolism of the railroad (Lanier is a railway engineer) running through it. Gabin is terrific as the tragic Lanier, and Simone Simon is effective as the woman.
Fritz Lang's later film "Human Desire" is also based on the Zola novel, but the Renoir version has more layers, particularly in the characterizations.
Highly recommended.
- How long is La Bête Humaine?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime1 hour 40 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1