Considered by Siskel to be one of the greatest films ever made, THE RULES OF THE GAME (LA RÈGLE DU JEU) by Jean Renoir is a scathing critique of corrupt French society cloaked in a comedy of manners in which a weekend at a marquis’s country château lays bare some ugly truths about a group of haut bourgeois acquaintances. Renoir’s midcareer comedy has had a tumultuous history: it was subjected to cuts after the violent response of the premiere audience in 1939, and the original negative was destroyed during World War II; it wasn’t reconstructed until 1959. That version, which has stunned viewers for decades, is presented here in a gorgeous 4K restoration.
Awards & Nominations
1947 Venice Film Festival - Official Selection
1989 Berlin International Film Festival - Official Selection
1999 Village Voice Film Poll - 2nd Place, Best Film of the Century
Gene's Favorites
To wrap up our 25 Years on State Street celebration, we are pleased to present five films championed by our namesake, Chicago film critic, Gene Siskel. November 28–December 29, 2026.
25 For 25
To celebrate 25 years on State Street, the 25 For 25 series revisits standout titles from our State Street history, spotlighting films that have lit up our screens since 2001 and reflecting on the Siskel Film Center’s programming legacy. Each selection connects to a past Siskel program, highlighting the Siskel Film Center’s long-standing commitment to diverse and innovative curation.
The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu