Director/Writer
Jean Renoir

Cast
Christine de la Cheyniest : Nora Gregor
Lisette, Christine's chambermaid: Paulette Dubost
Geneviève de Marras : Mila Parély
Madame de la Plante Odette Talazac
Madame de la Bruyère Claire Gérard
Jackie, Christine's niece: Anne Mayen
Radio reporter: Lise Elina
Robert de la Cheyniest: Marcel Dalio
Marceau, the poacher: Julien Carette
André Jurieux: Roland Toutain
Edouard Schumacher, the gamekeeper: Gaston Modot
Octave: Jean Renoir
The General: Pierre Magnier
Corneille, head of the domestic staff: Eddy Debray
Monsieur St. Aubin: Pierre Nay
Monsieur La Bruyère Richard Francoeur
The cook: Léon Larive

It's quite surprising that this film ever made it to modern screens. Having initially been banned, as indicting the corruption of France, during the war the negative was destroyed by an air raid. Eventually however, a full version was pieced together, and it was recognised and celebrated as a satirical comedy with an iconoclastic if bleak outlook.

The plot centres around a count, who organises a weekend shooting party at his chateau, but the combination of guests coupled with the combination of servants results in a series of complex love intrigues.

Aviator André Jurieux completes a record-breaking flight, but when he lands, the woman who inspired him to do it and with whom he is in love, Christine de la Cheyniest, is not there to greet him.

Christine is the wife of aristocrat Robert de la Cheyniest. Robert himself is involved in an affair with Geneviève de Marras, but he is trying to break it off, and is relieved to hear of his wife's apparent indifference to André. André meanwhile seeks help from his old friend Octave, who gets André an invitation to Robert and Christine's shooting weekend.

As the guests arrive for the party, their cordial greetings hide their real feelings, along with their secrets. The characters are ridiculous and the ironies of their class positions are mocked with farce, but their essential humanity remains for all to see. A fascinating period piece that holds up well to modern scrutiny.