Les Nuits moscovites (1934) - film review

Moscow, 1916.  To restore her family’s wealth and reputation, Natasha Kovrine agrees to become engaged to the wealthy grain merchant Brioukhov, even though he is many years her senior.  At the hospital where she works as a nurse, Natasha meets and falls in love with one of her patients, Capitain Ignatov, a young officer in the Russian imperial army.  When he has recovered from his injuries, Ignatov is posted to the military supplies office, where he immediately comes into conflict with Brioukhov.  Then, at the card table, Ignatov loses to his rival an amount of money that he cannot possibly repay.  His only hope is the wealthy Anna Sabline, who offers to pay his debts in exchange for a small service...

With its atmospheric chiaroscuro photography, impressive cast and meticulous attention to period detail (not to mention some stunning montage WWI battle sequences), Les Nuits moscovites has a lot to recommend it.  The film was directed by Alexis Granowsky, one of a number of Russian exile filmmakers who worked in France in the 1930s; he is perhaps best known for his 1936 film Tarass Boulba.  

One of the biggest stars in French cinema at the time, Harry Baur is perfectly cast as the almost irredeemably bad Brioukov, the kind of substantial character role in which he excelled.  Opposite Baur are two other popular actors of the period, Annabella and Pierre Richard-Willm, who each turns in an engaging and truthful performance. The popular chansonnier Tino Rossi makes his film debut in a small singing role. Two other actors of note are Roger Karl and Spinelly, who are both excellent in their supporting roles. It is a prestigious cast list which reflects the quality of the film’s production values.

An English version of this film was made one year later, directed by Anthony Asquith and entitled Moscow Nights.  Harry Baur again plays the part of Brioukov, his first appearance in an English film, with Pierre Richard-Willm and Annabella replaced by Laurence Olivier and Penelope Dudley-Ward (the future wife of Carol Reed).

© James Travers 2008

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