Daybreak Poster

Daybreak 1939

★ 7.6250 votes93 min📅 1939-06-09

Marcel Carné's *Daybreak* (1939) plunges viewers into the claustrophobic tension of a man's final hours before facing justice.

Director: Marcel Carné

Cast

Jean Gabin
Jean Gabin
François
Jacqueline Laurent
Jacqueline Laurent
Françoise
Jules Berry
Jules Berry
M. Valentin
Arletty
Arletty
Clara
Mady Berry
Mady Berry
La concierge
René Génin
René Génin
Le concierge
Arthur Devère
Arthur Devère
M. Gerbois
René Bergeron
René Bergeron
Le patron du café
Bernard Blier
Bernard Blier
Gaston
Germaine Lix
Germaine Lix
La chanteuse

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Daybreak (1939) about?

*Daybreak* follows a man who, after committing a murder, locks himself in his apartment and is forced to confront the chain of events that led him to that fateful moment. The film unfolds as a psychological descent into guilt, framed by his final hours before inevitable consequences arrive.

Who directed Daybreak?

Marcel Carné, the visionary French director behind acclaimed films like *Children of Paradise*, helmed *Daybreak* in 1939.

Who stars in Daybreak?

The film stars Jean Gabin in a standout role, alongside Jacqueline Laurent, Jules Berry, Arletty, and René Génin.

Is Daybreak (1939) worth watching?

For fans of atmospheric crime dramas and classic French cinema, *Daybreak* is a compelling watch. With its tight script and strong performances, it delivers a tense, thought-provoking experience, even if it's lesser-known compared to Carné's other works.

How long is Daybreak?

*Daybreak* has a runtime of 93 minutes.

🎥 Trailer

About Daybreak (1939) — A Haunting Crime Drama Before the Breaking Point

Marcel Carné's *Daybreak* (1939) plunges viewers into the claustrophobic tension of a man's final hours before facing justice. Trapped in his apartment, a desperate man grapples with the weight of a murder he committed, his mind unfolding like a dark spiral of regret and recklessness. The film masterfully weaves a tale of crime and consequence, where every decision inches closer to an irreversible breaking point. Gabin's commanding presence anchors the story, his brooding intensity reflecting the storm of emotions churning beneath the surface.

Set against the gritty backdrop of pre-war France, *Daybreak* explores themes of fate, guilt, and the inescapable shadows of one's actions. The atmospheric tension is palpable, with Carné's direction transforming a confined space into a pressure cooker of emotional and moral conflict. It's a gripping drama that lingers long after the credits roll, leaving audiences to ponder the thin line between desperation and destiny.