The Elusive Corporal (1962): Cast & Plot
The Elusive Corporal is a 1962 war drama directed by Jean Renoir, starring Jean-Pierre Cassel as Caporal, Cornelia Froboess and O.E. Hasse. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 45m (105 min)
- Director
- Jean Renoir
- Original language
-
French - Studio
- Les Films du Cyclope
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Elusive Corporal About?
The premise of The Elusive Corporal without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Functioning as a thematic companion to Renoir’s 1937 classic Grand Illusion, the film gathers a cross‑section of French men from varied social backgrounds and follows a solitary corporal whose relentless, almost Sisyphean struggle to escape a German POW camp underscores the futility of resistance and the bonds forged under captivity.
The Elusive Corporal Themes & Keywords
· 4 tags- corporal
- paris france
- world war two
- based on novel
The Elusive Corporal Cast & Characters
Jean-Pierre Cassel leads the cast as Caporal, with Cornelia Froboess as Erika Schmidt and O.E. Hasse as Drunk traveler on the train. Directed by Jean Renoir; 16 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Jean Renoir
- Jean-Pierre Cassel as Caporal
- Cornelia Froboess as Erika Schmidt
- O.E. Hasse as Drunk traveler on the train
- Jean Carmet as Guillaume aka 'Le Fermier'
Also Starring in The Elusive Corporal
· 12 more- Claude Brasseur Papa
- Claude Rich Ballochet
- Philippe Castelli 'L'électricien'
- Mario David 'Caruso', amateur athlete, insurance agent
- Lucien Raimbourg Station employee
- Sacha Briquet Escapee disguised as an old woman
- Gérard Darrieu Cross-eyed man
- Jacques Jouanneau Émile, aka 'Penche-à-gauche', waiter
- Guy Bedos The stuttering prisoner
- Raymond Jourdan Hippolyte Dupieu
- François Darbon Peasant
- Helmut Janatsch Otto, Commander of the Stalag
More from Jean Renoir
More films directed by Jean Renoir, best-rated first: The Rules of the Game, The Little Theatre of Jean Renoir, Picnic on the Grass and Experiment in Evil.
The Elusive Corporal Plot Summary
What happens in The Elusive Corporal from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 1940, among more than a million French prisoners of war forced to work in German camps, the Caporal—a young man from a solid background—endures the harsh reality of captivity and the oppressive machinery of Nazi rule. He makes repeated, determined attempts to escape, enduring the grueling routines of a logging camp, a brick factory, and a dairy farm, each attempt ending in recapture and weeks spent in a punishment camp. The cycle of freedom sought and punishment imposed paints a clear portrait of resilience under extreme duress, as the Corporal refuses to accept the system’s humiliation.
Full summary
The whole story of The Elusive Corporal, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Elusive Corporal?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In what year was 'The Elusive Corporal' released?
The Elusive Corporal Also Known As
14 alternative titles, including “El cabo atrapado” and “The Vanishing Corporal”.
- Also known as
-
- El cabo atrapado
- The Vanishing Corporal
- 被捉住的军士
- 被俘的下士
- Le strane licenze del caporale Dupont
- Der Korporal in der Schlinge
- Злополучният ефрейтор
- 탈주한 하사
- Пришпиленный капрал
- Desátník smolař
- O Cabo Ardiloso
- 逃兵
+2 more Show fewer
- El caporal atrapat
- Pe urmele caporalului
Seen The Elusive Corporal?
Movies Like The Elusive Corporal
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Grand Illusion, The Corporal and the Others and Line of Demarcation.
The Elusive Corporal FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of The Elusive Corporal, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Elusive Corporal?
The Elusive Corporal runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).
When was The Elusive Corporal released?
The Elusive Corporal was released on May 23, 1962.
Who directed The Elusive Corporal?
The Elusive Corporal was directed by Jean Renoir.
More films by Jean Renoir Who is in the cast of The Elusive Corporal?
The Elusive Corporal stars Jean-Pierre Cassel as Caporal, Cornelia Froboess as Erika Schmidt and O.E. Hasse as Drunk traveler on the train, among 16 credited actors.
Does The Elusive Corporal have a post-credit scene?
No. The Elusive Corporal has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is The Elusive Corporal in?
The original language of The Elusive Corporal is French.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
