L'Atalante

1934, Romance, 1h 29m

37 Reviews 5,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

As poetic as it is realistic, Jean Vigo's L'Atalante passionately deals with relevant themes through the story of two star-crossed lovers. Read critic reviews

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L'Atalante Photos

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Movie Info

Capricious small-town girl Juliette (Dita Parlo) and barge captain Jean (Jean Dasté) marry after a whirlwind courtship, and she comes to live aboard his boat, L'Atalante. As they make their way down the Seine, Jean grows weary of Juliette's flirtations with his all-male crew, and Juliette longs to escape the monotony of the boat and experience the excitement of a big city. When she steals away to Paris by herself, her husband begins to think their marriage was a mistake.
  • Genre:
    Romance
  • Original Language:
    French (Canada)
  • Director:
    Jean Vigo
  • Producer:
    Jacques-Louis Nounez
  • Writer:
    Jean Vigo, Jean Guinee, Albert Riera
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $24.1K
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Malofilm Distribution, Gaumont International [fr], Cine Classics, Film Traders Ltd. [gb], Artificial Eye
  • Sound Mix:
    Mono
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Flat (1.37:1)

Cast & Crew

Jean Dasté
Jean
Dita Parlo
Juliette
Michel Simon
Le père Jules
Louis Lefebvre
Le gosse
Gilles Margaritis
Le camelot
Raphaël Diligent
Raspoutine, le batelier
Maurice Jaubert
Original Music
Boris Kaufman
Cinematography
Louis Chavance
Film Editing
Jean Vigo
Director
Jean Vigo
Writer
Jean Guinee
Writer
Albert Riera
Writer
Jacques-Louis Nounez
Producer
Jean-Paul Alphen
Cinematography
Louis Berger
Cinematography
Jean-Louis Bompoint
Art Director
Francis Jourdain
Art Director
Acho Chakatouny
Makeup Artist
Henri Arbel
Unit Manager
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for L'Atalante

All Critics (37) | Top Critics (14) | Fresh (37)
Full Review… James Berardinelli ReelViews Full Review… Robert Abele Los Angeles Times Full Review… Jack Jones Little White Lies Full Review… Peter Bradshaw Guardian Full Review… Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Full Review… Geoff Andrew Time Out Full Review… James Agee The Nation Full Review… John Grierson Cinema Quarterly Full Review… Dennis Harvey 48 Hills Full Review… Allen Almachar The MacGuffin Full Review… David Parkinson Radio Times Full Review… Fran Hortop Film4
View All Critic Reviews (37)

Audience Reviews for L'Atalante

  • Oct 07, 2012
    A lovely movie with a very likeable performance from Michel Simon. It's a shame Vigo died not too long after completing this film (he was only 29), he could have become one of the early masters of cinema history.
    Hugo S Super Reviewer
  • Oct 28, 2011
    A young barge skipper brings his new wife to live on board the ship L'atalante with him; confined to the boat, she grows bored, leading to domestic tragedy. Simple and charming, with comic relief and memorable, poetic shots; a minor classic, though fans of sentimental romances will consider it a must see title in the genre.
    Greg S Super Reviewer
  • Jul 08, 2011
    A landmark French film and what is considered one of the greatest films of all time, L'Atalante is a masterpiece and shows the talent of Jean Vigo, as it is his crowning achievement. Jean Vigo died making this film due to his poor health and many believe, he in a sense died for cinema itself. What can be said with certainty though, is that the film is a visual masterpiece that is a love story, albeit darker than most in tone, but a poetic and wonderfully filmed piece of cinema that has inspired an untold numbers of Directors! Another essential film to view and as Jean Vigo's only full length feature, a piece of the man and his vision that can be cherished and appreciated decades after his death. This is most definitely a piece of cinema history and is wonderful!
    Chris B Super Reviewer
  • Sep 03, 2010
    I barely remember this movie, I didn't see the whole thing, I'll have to watch it again sometime.
    Aj V Super Reviewer
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