On board a train bound for the port city of Le Havre, railroad stationmaster Roubard murders a man who seduced his young wife Severine. Engineer Jacques Lantier also begins a passionate affair with Severine, who takes little time in suggesting that Jacques should get rid of her controlling husband.

Later tackled by Fritz Lang in Human Desire, Émile Zola’s classic novel acts as source material in the great Jean Renoir’s influential, impressively atmospheric psychological thriller—a fascinating forerunner to film noir. A hotblooded, high-powered, lurid love triangle, led by Jean Gabin.