Film Generations

304. Grand Illusion (1937)

January 5, 2026·1h 10m
Episode Description from the Publisher

Frequently named by filmmakers and critics as one of the greatest films ever made, Jean Renoir’s classic tale of French soldiers in a World War I German POW camp and their daring escape is now almost 90 years old. Its importance to film history is certain — but is it still fun to watch?  While much of Grand Illusion is unique, especially its bittersweet farewell to the pre-WWI European aristocratic order, it has directly influenced countless movies, including The Great Escape and The Shawshank Redemption, does it offer any surprises or unexpected delights to a new generation? Get set for an impassioned discussion across generations where one thing becomes clear: this film’s preoccupations are immensely relevant to our world today. Hosts: Mark Netter & David Tausik  Panelists:  Guy Lewis, Kylee LaRue, Cohlie Brocato An ElectraCast Production Trailer: https://youtu.be/vcO8rEjoG0c Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Grande_Illusion IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0028950/reference/ 97% on Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/la_grande_illusion Ebert Review: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-grand-illusion-1937   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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