Le Million (1931)
Directed by René Clair

Musical / Comedy / Romance
aka: The Million

Film Review

Abstract picture representing Le Million (1931)
Rated as René Clair's comic masterpiece, the original template for the Hollywood musicals, and one of the best of the early sound films, Le Million is by any account an astonishing piece of cinema that lives up to its reputation.  Even seventy years on, the film is bursting with energy and freshness and has a great deal to entertain a modern cinema audience.

Clair's greatest achievement was in bridging the gulf between silent and sound cinema.  Unlike many of his contemporaries, he seized the opportunities that the new technology offered and exploited these with a staggering artistic brilliance.  Le Million illustrates perhaps more than any of Clair's films how sound can be used to complement and enhance visual imagery without detracting from it.

Le Million is the film musical comedy in its purest form.  The visual farce is accompanied by some engaging, uplifting songs, a perfect union which makes dialogue almost superfluous - and sensibly Clair does use raw dialogue very sparingly.  The result is a dreamlike fantasy, in keeping with Clair's surrealist sympathies.

This is a sublime jewel of early French cinema.  On its initial release in 1931, it was both popular with the public and well received by the critics.  Today, it is regarded as a monument of French cinema.
© James Travers 2000
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Next René Clair film:
Quatorze Juillet (1933)

Film Synopsis

A penniless artist, Michel, is pursued by creditors when he discovers he has won the million florin lottery.  He realises that he left the winning lottery ticket in his jacket, which he gave to his girlfriend, Béatrice, to repair.   However, Béatrice, upset when she saw Michel with another woman, gave the jacket away.  What ensues then is a madcap chase by Michel and his friends to recover the missing jacket - and the million florin prize.
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.


Film Credits

  • Director: René Clair
  • Script: René Clair, Georges Berr (play), Marcel Guillemaud (play)
  • Cinematographer: Georges Périnal, Georges Raulet
  • Music: Armand Bernard, Philippe Parès, Georges Van Parys
  • Cast: Annabella (Béatrice), René Lefèvre (Michel Bouflette), Jean-Louis Allibert (Prosper), Paul Ollivier (Granpère Tulipe), Constantin Siroesco (Ambrosio Sopranelli), Raymond Cordy (Le chauffeur de taxi), Vanda Gréville (Vanda), Odette Talazac (La cantatrice), Pedro Elviro (Le régisseur), Jane Pierson (L'épicière), André Michaud (Le boucher), Eugène Stuber (Le policier), Pierre Alcover (Le policier), Armand Bernard (Le chef d'orchestre), Gabrielle Rosny, Georgette Dalmas, Jean Gaubens, Teddy Michaud, Louis Musy, Louis Pré Fils
  • Country: France
  • Language: French
  • Support: Black and White
  • Runtime: 83 min
  • Aka: The Million

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