Les grands (1936): A boarding school drama that feels like a long, sad sigh

Is it worth the watch?

If you're into dusty, black-and-white French school dramas from the thirties, you'll probably dig this. It’s got that specific kind of dramatic weight that feels very earnest and slightly stiff. People who hate slow-burn misery or melodramatic teen angst should probably skip it. You really have to be in the mood for the whole 'noble suffering' vibe.

Brassier is the kind of kid who makes you want to shake him by the shoulders. He’s the star student, the pride of the school, and he decides to throw it all away for a woman who—let’s be real—is just trying to live her life. It’s frustrating. But that’s the point, I guess.

The school setting

There’s this weird, heavy silence in the hallways once the other kids leave for Easter. It makes the place feel like a tomb. I found myself staring at the background extras more than the main characters in some scenes. Are those desks really that uncomfortable? They look like torture devices.

The principal’s office looks exactly how you'd expect: dark, foreboding, and full of paperwork that clearly nobody ever reads. It’s the perfect stage for a misunderstanding that ruins a life. When the theft happens, you can see it coming from a mile away. It’s not a mystery movie; it’s a 'watch the train wreck' movie.

Those choices

The whole thing about him protecting the principal's wife is just... man. The logic of a teenager in love is basically a black hole. He’s so determined to be a hero that he forgets he’s just digging his own grave. It reminds me a bit of the suffocating pressure in The Fourth Commandment, where one bad choice just keeps spiraling.

Gaby Morlay plays the wife with this look of constant, weary concern. She knows this is going to end badly, and you can see her trying to push him away, but he just won't listen. It’s exhausting to watch, but honestly? It’s kind of magnetic. You keep watching because you hope he’ll eventually just tell the truth. He doesn't.

• The lighting in the office scene? Moody as heck.
• The dialogue is very formal, like everyone is reciting a poem before they say hello.
• I spent five minutes wondering if they actually had snacks in boarding school back then.

It’s not a masterpiece, but it has a rhythm that sticks with you. It feels like someone took a snapshot of a very specific, very sad moment in 1936 and refused to let go. Maybe it’s not as complex as The Wheel, but it’s got enough grit to keep you watching until the credits roll. Just don't expect a happy ending. 🏫🎭