Cinema
Remorques
Jean Grémillon · 1941
Synopsis
André Laurent commands the Cyclone, a deep-sea tug based in Brest, which comes to the aid of ships in distress. His wife, Yvonne, who has a weak heart, finds his repeated absences hard to bear. One stormy night, while rescuing a cargo ship, the Mirva, he meets Catherine, the wife of that ship's captain. A passion springs up between them, which sets Laurent at odds with his duty and with his marriage.
Context
The film adapts a novel by Roger Vercel about the tugboats of Brest; Jacques Prévert wrote its dialogue. Shooting began in July 1939, was interrupted on 3 September with Gabin's mobilisation, resumed briefly in April 1940, then was completed in the studio in 1941. Jean Gabin, Madeleine Renaud and Michèle Morgan play the three leading roles. The film was released on 27 November 1941.
Who it is for
A maritime drama of a little under an hour and a half, in which storm scenes alternate with a claustrophobic marital drama.
Prizes and reception
Reissued on Blu-ray by Carlotta; the Criterion Collection published it in English in its Eclipse series, under its French title.
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