Hotel du Nord

1938 • 96 minuten

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Directed by Marcel Carné, the master of poetic realism, 'Hôtel du Nord' is a haunting, fatalistic melodrama which sits alongside 'Le Quai des brumes' and 'Le Jour se lève' as one of the auteur's greatest pre-war works. Adapted from an acclaimed novel by Eugène Dabit, the son of the proprietors of the real Hôtel du Nord (situated on the banks of the Canal St. Martin in Paris), Carné's film tells of Renée ('Annabella') and Pierre (Jean-Pierre Aumont, 'Day for Night'), doomed lovers who plan to end their lives at the humble guesthouse. When Pierre shoots Renée but can't pull the trigger on himself, he flees with help of a seedy criminal, Edmond (Louis Jouvet, 'Quai des Orfèvres') and his mistress Raymonde (Arletty, 'Les Enfants du paradis'). Renée makes a surprise recovery and returns to the hotel to work as a maid, but when Edmond falls in love with her and Pierre returns from prison, the stage is set for tragedy. 'Hôtel du Nord' is noteworthy for its assured ensemble performances, remarkably authentic studio sets and compelling Bastille Day street-celebration finale. Now, looking and sounding better than ever before.