Jean Gabin Gets Real About the Failure of This ‘Classic Film’!

Today, “Le Jour se lève” is recognized as one of the pinnacles of Jean Gabin’s film career, yet it didn’t initially receive the acclaim it deserved. Released in 1939, Marcel Carné’s film faced a resounding commercial failure at the box office.

Jean Gabin stars as François, a sandblaster who has just killed a man named Valentin. Barricaded in his apartment while police surround the building, he reflects on the events that led him to commit this irreversible act.

A Dark Story with Bold Narrative Structure

The film largely relies on a series of flashbacks, a storytelling technique that was still uncommon at the time. “Le Jour se lève” even predates “Citizen Kane,” which is sometimes mistakenly credited with the invention of the flashback in cinema.

Adding to the narrative complexity was the film’s inherent bleakness. Released in June 1939, about three months before France entered World War II, the film was restricted to viewers over 16 due to its “demoralizing” nature and was completely banned by December of the same year.

“So, we were just too early, that’s all…”

Over thirty years later, Jean Gabin had not forgotten the film’s initial reception. In 1970, while discussing the filming of “La Horse” by Pierre Granier-Deferre, he reflected on the ironic fate of the film.

“I made a film just before the war that is now considered a great classic of cinema, but at the time it was a total flop: it was called ‘Le Jour se lève’. It didn’t work because it had flashbacks, people didn’t like that. And now, people say it’s one of the classics of cinema. So, we just made it too soon, that’s all…”

A Failed Release Turned French Cinematic Milestone

Time has proven Jean Gabin and Marcel Carné right. Mentioned in Gabin’s biography by André Brunelin, Carné had sensed early on that his film would outlive him.

“Le Jour se lève” now holds a prominent place in 1930s French cinema, alongside other iconic films starring Jean Gabin such as “Pépé le Moko,” “La Grande Illusion,” “Le Quai des brumes,” and “La Bête humaine.” These classics have firmly established him as one of the most significant figures in French cinema.

“Le Jour se lève” is now available for streaming on VOD.

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