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The Wheel

Original title: La roue
  • 1923
  • Not Rated
  • 6h 57m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
2.7K
YOUR RATING
The Wheel (1923)
Drama

A railway engineer adopts a young girl orphaned by a train crash. Years later when she starts getting suitors, he grapples with whether or not to tell her the truth about her parentage.A railway engineer adopts a young girl orphaned by a train crash. Years later when she starts getting suitors, he grapples with whether or not to tell her the truth about her parentage.A railway engineer adopts a young girl orphaned by a train crash. Years later when she starts getting suitors, he grapples with whether or not to tell her the truth about her parentage.

  • Director
    • Abel Gance
  • Writer
    • Abel Gance
  • Stars
    • Gabriel de Gravone
    • Pierre Magnier
    • Georges Térof
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    2.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Abel Gance
    • Writer
      • Abel Gance
    • Stars
      • Gabriel de Gravone
      • Pierre Magnier
      • Georges Térof
    • 32User reviews
    • 35Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win total

    Photos76

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    Top cast8

    Edit
    Gabriel de Gravone
    Gabriel de Gravone
    • Elie
    Pierre Magnier
    Pierre Magnier
    • Jacques de Hersan
    Georges Térof
    • Mâchefer
    Séverin-Mars
    Séverin-Mars
    • Sisif
    Ivy Close
    Ivy Close
    • Norma
    Max Maxudian
    Max Maxudian
    • Le minéralogiste Kalatarikarascopoulos
    Gil Clary
    • Dalilah
    • (as Mme. Gil-Clary)
    Géo Dugast
    • Le cheminot Jacobin
    • Director
      • Abel Gance
    • Writer
      • Abel Gance
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Akira Kurosawa stated this was the film that made the greatest impression on him before he began working in the film industry.
    • Goofs
      When Sisif is running in front of the locomotive, the first shot has the locomotive numbered 475. In subsequent shots, the number on the loco is 2013.
    • Quotes

      Title Card: [Notes written in secret] The engine driver Duterne drinks wine. The engine driver Chaume drinks water. The stoker Larment drinks beer. The stoker Leger drinks vermouth... Sisif, engineer first class, drinks large amounts of alcohol.

    • Alternate versions
      Originally released to the public with a running time of just over 5 hours. Later edited down to 2 1/2 hours. .
    • Connections
      Edited into Histoire(s) du cinéma: Une histoire seule (1989)

    User reviews32

    Featured review

    recommendation

    Gance seems overwhelmed by the theme of humanity crushed by incredible suffering, and some of the symbolism may seem heavy-handed, but this film deserves to be listed among the greats for its wonderful cinematography, the strong contrasts between the first parts portrayal of trains and the second parts moving to the beautiful, impassive scenery of the high Alps.

    I have always been an admirer of Gance's Napoleon, but his J'accuse turned me off. La Roue has restored my desire to see the others: La fin de monde, Beethoven, and Austerlitz.

    As for the suffering, this was made in 1921 in the aftermath of WW I, which is sufficient to account for Gance's obsession with the theme.
    • rschmeec
    • Nov 20, 2006
    • Permalink

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    FAQ16

    • How long is The Wheel?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 17, 1923 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • France
    • Languages
      • None
      • French
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Točak
    • Filming locations
      • Mont-Blanc, Chamonix, Haute-Savoie, France
    • Production company
      • Films Abel Gance
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      6 hours 57 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Silent
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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