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Grim period film of 19th century Paris that encompasses the human condition about the lower-classes, poverty and alcoholism, and of one woman's desperate attempt to rise out of her utter despair.

Story centres on a “belle Parisienne”, Gervaise – a washer-girl with a limp, played by the beautiful Maria Schell. As the tale opens she is in love with handsome wastrel Lantier (Armand Mestral) who, having bedded her, promptly deserts her. Humiliated by this public rejection, Gervaise presses ahead with her aim to open a little laundry shop of her own, aided in this ambition by a new man in her life, a roofer named Coupeau (Francois Perier). Her brief happiness with husband Coupeau literally comes crashing down when he becomes an invalid after a roofing accident. In his misery, Coupeau turns to drink. Gervaise ultimately follows him down the long sad spiral of addiction, destroying her home, her family, and her dreams.

Adapted from Emile Zola's 1877 novel L’Assommoir by Jean Aurenche and Pierre Bost, Gervaise is a powerful – at times staggering – film deeply rooted to human concerns.

Director: Rene Clement
Cast: Maria Schell, Francois Perier, Jany Holt, Florelle
Country: France
Genre: Drama

DVD9 | NTSC 4:3 | 01:57:24 | 6.82 Gb + 3% rec
Language: Francais
Subtitles: English

BD25 | 1080p AVC | 01:57:55 | 21.2 Gb + 3% rec
Language: Francais
Subtitles: English, Japanese