In 1992 LA REGLE DU JEU came second in the once a decade, arbitrary list of the greatest films of all time. This brought it to my youthful attention. Ten years later I saw it for the first time and for me it was a worthy entry. A forceful commentary on class, society and the acquiescence of minority groups who ascend in it. For others it was another old film, given more credit than it deserved because, old Hollywood and by extension critics, never forget. The BFI thankfully have seen the former opinion as a more rounded interpretation of Renoir’s masterpiece (it also helps that other films of his are on the catalogue). Though ostensibly a brilliant satire, I can clearly see, over 15 years on from the previous watch, that it is equally a snapshot of France and her societal structure as the Second World War was slowly drifting into being and the events that still linger in us all, happened.

As a shooting party is slowly coming together in a French mansion, the assembled people are all troubled and in trouble with life. Famed Aviator André Jurieux (Roland Toutain) loves Christine, Marquise de la Chesnaye (Nora Gregor) who is married to Robert, Marquis de la Chesnaye (Marcel Dalio). The Marquis is also enjoying a torrid affair with Geneviève de Marras (Mila Parély). Octave (Jean Renoir) is friend to all but also having some fun with maid Lisette (Paulette Dubost), who has also caught the eye of poacher and newly hired servant Marceau (Julien Carette). All in all, this means that the shooting might not just be aimed at the birds…

Now I wont go into the whole publicly distained (what do they know…) , vilified by critics (what do they know again), re-cut and ultimately banned by the French government (wow…Quadruple whammy!) These stories are well known and well trodden. Instead I will point you dear reader to the disc. Firstly, yes this is the complete version of the film. Not the 85 minute version (though I would like to see that version one day!) Instead it is a highly accomplished realisation from La Cinémathèque française and Les Grands Films Classiques. There are no issues with tones, grade or scale. No loss of quality that I could see and finally, it also sounded the best I have heard. The extras peak with four (I usually cover three but there are so many good ones I couldn’t decide). La Vie est à nous is a rather interesting document of the sort of language and rational I heard growing up in the 80s. Communist frame things very well but also with a lack of specificity and overly broad (the right wing today do the reverse). This is an essential product of this in action. Newly commissioned commentary divided me on both listens. Firstly it covers the career and character of Renoir but also steps heavily in the film and its elongated relationships with film makers and critics. It might have been good to have given then an add on piece to grow a little bit outside this but its very well researched. Leslie Caron on La Règle du jeu, sees Oscar nominated star talk about a film that seems close to her and as she seems to insist, French hearts. Finally, the essay by David Thompson. What he doesnt know about film, literally is not worth absorbing.     

Special Features

• Restored in 4K in 2021 by La Cinémathèque française and Les Grands Films Classiques and presented on Blu-ray
• Newly commissioned commentary by film writers David Jenkins and Trevor Johnston
• Image par image: La Règle du jeu (1987, 42 mins): Jean Douchet and Pierre Oscar Lévy provide a detailed analysis of La Règle du jeu
• Leslie Caron on La Règle du jeu (2016, 18 mins): the actor introduces Renoir’s classic as part of the Screen Epiphanies series at BFI Southbank
• La Vie est à nous (1936, 64 mins): French Communist Party election film depicting political turmoil and the threat of fascism, with creative input from Jean Renoir and Henri Cartier-Bresson, among others
• Pheasant Shooting (1913, 1 min): newsreel item on the start of the shooting season in a Norfolk game reserve
• Society on the Moors (1921, 1 min): newsreel footage of Lord and Lady Savile’s shooting party on the Yorkshire Moors near Hebden Bridge
• Stills gallery
• **FIRST PRESSING ONLY** Illustrated booklet including essays by David Thompson, Ginette Vincendeau and Barry Nevin