Classic Renoir, Indeed !!!

"Film will only become an art when its materials are as inexpensive as pencil and paper."-J Cocteau
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Jean Renoir's La Bete Humaine (1938) is classic Renoir. It is a very well thought out, and very well executed piece of cinematic storytelling with a very interesting, and compelling storyline, and it has high entertainment value as well, in my opinion.

The cinematography is particularly good in this film. The use of various camera positions, and camera angles is very effective, and adds real depth to the film, as well as do the great close up facial shots that so dramatically relate the expressions of the actors at appropriate points in a scene. The extensive footage of "all things railroad" are memorable, including footage in the railroad stations, in the railyards, of close up footage of the trains sailing down the tracks, and camera positions seemingly right on the very front of the train showing the oncoming tracks rapidly approaching, all this being appropriate, of course, because most of the main characters are train company employees.

The acting by the whole cast is really great, but Jean Gabin, and Simone Simone both give particularly strong, and effective performances. Jean Renoir himself gives a rather interesting, and effective performance as Cabuche, a good natured, working stiff who is wrongfully accused of the murder that causes the whole story to spiral into tragedy.

This film has some of the characteristics of a classic Shakespearean tragedy, with characters seemingly chained by the stars to their inalterable fates.

Viewing this great film will always be memorable for me.