(1939; French, b/w) Director/writer Jean Renoir's masterpiece satirizes the French bourgeois at the eve of World War II. The aviator, Andre Jurieux (Roland Toutain), having flown across the Atlantic in a new record time of 23 hours, cares nothing of the hero's welcome he receives, because Christine de la Cheyniest (Nora Gregor) has neglected to be there waiting for him: "But I did this all for her." Over the radio when interviewed he expresses his pique.

In an automobile with his friend Octave (Jean Renoir), Andre distracted by his disappointment runs into a ditch. He and Octave argue about their affection for Christine; Octave says he feels toward her as a guardian out of respect he has for her deceased father, who had been the great Maestro Stiller in Austria.

Christine is the wife of the marquis Robert de la Cheyniest (Marcel Dalio), whose mistress of three years is Genevieve de Marras (Mila Parely). Robert confides to his friend Octave that he wishes he could get quit of Genevieve; Octave, while suggesting she might be married off to someone, requests the favor of the marquis's inviting Andre to La Coliniére, his chateau, for the November pheasant hunt.

Meanwhile, Christine and her camériste, Lisette (Paulette Dubost), discuss the madness of men; Lisette, unhappily married to the gameskeeper, Edouard Schumacher (Gaston Modot), denies she has a lover (the more one gives them, the more they want) and scoffs at the idea that friendship is possible with a man. Aware of Andre's complaint over the wireless, Christine's fault is that of a foreigner's misunderstanding of the consequences of displaying affection to a Frenchman; she says of him, "sincere people are such bores."

The guests arrive at La Coliniére to hunt pheasant and rabbits (the hunting scenes depict actual kills) with a masquerade afterward. Upon hearing some rumor of scandal, the general says: "We're here to hunt, not write memoirs." In the park Christine, using a miniature monocular to view the wildlife, catches sight of her husband embracing Genevieve. Back at the chateau she urges Genevieve, who is preparing to depart (Robert had been giving her a farewell embrace), to remain, saying she has long known of their relationship, as a distraction for Robert, which will allow her more freedom during the evening's entertainments.

Before the hunt, Schumacher had apprehended the clown of this comedy, Marceau (Julien Carette), poaching a rabbit in the park; but the marquis chooses instead of punishment to hire the man, making him a domestic servant. Once inside the chateau, Marceau attempts to poach Lisette from Schumacher.

Robert, who collects musical and mechanical instruments, delights his guests with his latest acquisition. While Schumacher chases Marceau through the rooms, occasionally firing his pistol (the guests think it's more of the evening's intended frivolities), Christine and Andre go off alone, professing love for each other. When Christine expresses her desire to depart together at once, Andre objects: "there are rules" he says against running off with a gracious host's wife without explanation. She will have none of his propriety and seeks solace from Octave.

A guest expresses disgust with what one hears and reads these days on the radio, in the newspapers, from one's acquaintances: "Everyone lies." Meanwhile, Robert has had enough of Marceau and Schumacher's riotousness: "I have no choice but to dismiss you. It breaks my heart, but I can't expose my guests to your firearms. It may be wrong of them, but they value their lives."

Robert after a fisticuffs bout with Andre (and an earlier row with his neighbor Saint-Aubin) makes up in friendship with Andre, reaching an understanding that Christine, whom they both love, may do as she wishes. Robert remarks on the natural good sense of Muslims practicing polygyny.

Outside in the greenhouse Christine, wearing Lisette's hood and cape, awaits her lover (Octave has gone to fetch her coat), while Schumacher with his gun and Marceau at his side, having become miserable company, think she is Lisette, who being granted permission to remain in the household refused to leave with her husband. As with the wildlife during the day's hunting, the quarry, a pheasant and a rabbit, have been flushed from the safety of their natural habitat as easy targets.

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Copyright © 2007 Patrick Ivers. All rights reserved.
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