Catherine Deneuve

Gérard Depardieu

Jean Poiret

Andréa Ferréol

Paulette Dubost

Jean-Louis Richard

Maurice Risch

Heinz Bennent

Sabine Haudepin

Christian Baltauss

Pierre Belot

René Dupré

Aude Loring

Alain Tasma

Rose Thiéry

Jacob Weizbluth

Jean-Pierre Klein

Renata Flores

Marcel Berbert

Hénia Suchar

László Szabó

Martine Simonet

Jean-José Richer

Jessica Zucman

Richard Bohringer

Franck Pasquier

Alexandre Aumont

Jean Abeillé

Marie-Dominique Henry

Philippe Vesque

François Truffaut

Suzanne Schiffman

Georges Delerue

Néstor Almendros

Martine Barraqué

Jean-Pierre Kohut-Svelko

Liselle Roos

Jean-Claude Grumberg

Didier Lavergne

Michel Laurent

Françoise Bensoussan

Pierre Berroyer

Nadine Leroy

Thi-Loan Nguyen

Roland Thénot

Emmanuel Clot

Drama

Romance

Le Dernier Métro

Les Films du Carrosse

Sédif Productions

TF1 Films Production

France

CinemaSerf

Despite, or possibly because of, the Nazi occupation of Paris in 1942 the theatres and cinemas of the city are thriving. One of the most popular was in Montmartre and run by the Steiners. Now he's a Jew so they decide it best he leaves for the Vichy and the theatre in the hands of his actress wife "Marion" (Catherine Deneuve). Rather aptly, they decide to present a new play called "the Disappearance" and draft in "Granger" (Gerard Depardieu) to co-star with "Marion" under the director "Jean-Loup" (Jean Poiret). Now it's fair to say that "Granger" is a bit of a womaniser - but the object of his desires here, who happens to be the costumier "Arlette" (Andréa Ferrêol), wouldn't touch him with a flagpole. Their best laid plans as a troupe is to survive what's left of the war in one piece, and with dangers around every corner as well as rationing, they have their work cut out. As the story develops, we come to realise that both "Marion" and her co-star have secrets to keep and their make or break production will also be seen by the arch anti-semite critic "Daxiat" (Jean-Louis Richard) who could readily undo all of their hard work and see them all on the scrapheap. There's loads of chemistry here and François Truffaut manages to inject some dark humour into an environment that's admittedly riddled with fear, but that also presents us with some insights into the lives of these artistes who compete, contrive and contrast with each other in just about every aspect of their daily lives.  It's a film about bravery, courage and determination - often found in the least likely of places, and Deneuve offers us a powerfully engaging characterisation that epitomises the concept of less is more. It takes it's time, so settle down with a glass of decent Malbec and you ought to enjoy some talent at the top of their game.