Five unemployed workers win 100,000 Francs in the national lottery. Instead of sharing the money, they buy a ruin and build an open-air cafe. But difficulties come to split their friendly group apart.
Acting
Jean Gabin's weathered face tells entire economic histories.
Direction
Duvivier's invisible hand guides tragedy like breathing.
Writing
Dialogue so natural you'll forget it's 1936.
Director
Julien Duvivier
Jean Gabin
Jean dit Jeannot
Charles Vanel
Charles dit Charlot
Viviane Romance
Gina
Charles Dorat
Jacques
Micheline Cheirel
Huguette, la fiancée de Mario
Marcelle Géniat
la grand-mère d'Huguette
Fernand Charpin
le gendarme Antomarchi
Raymond Cordy
un ivrogne
Jacques Baumer
Gaston Jubette, le propriétaire
Raymond Aimos
Raymond dit Tintin
Robert Lynen
René
Robert Ozanne
Le patron du bistrot
Robert Moor
Un locataire
Charles Granval
le père Guilard
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released during the Popular Front era, the film's pessimism about worker solidarity sparked political controversy — leftists wanted hope, Duvivier delivered tragedy.
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