The Earrings of Madame de... (1953)
"Madame de..." (original title)

In the Paris of the late 19th century, Louise, wife of a general, sells the earrings her husband gave her as a wedding gift: she needs money to cover her debts. The general secretly buys ... See full summary »

Director:

Max Ophüls

Writers:

Louise de Vilmorin (novel), Marcel Achard (screenplay),

Stars:

Charles Boyer, Danielle Darrieux, Vittorio De Sica

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Charles Boyer	...	Général André de...
Danielle Darrieux	...	Comtesse Louise de...
Vittorio De Sica	...	Baron Fabrizio Donati
Jean Debucourt	...	Monsieur Rémy
Jean Galland	...	Monsieur de Bernac
Mireille Perrey	...	La Nourrice
Paul Azaïs	...	Le premier cocher
Josselin
Hubert Noël	...	Henri de Maleville
Lia Di Leo	...	Lola

Storyline

In the Paris of the late 19th century, Louise, wife of a general, sells the earrings her husband gave her as a wedding gift: she needs money to cover her debts. The general secretly buys the earrings again and gives them to his mistress, Lola, leaving to go to Constantinople. Where an Italian diplomat, Baron Donati, buys them. Back to Paris, Donati meets Louise... So now Louise discovers love and becomes much less frivolous.

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Plot Keywords:

earring | italian | countess | debt | lover | 

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Taglines:

It was her vanity that destroyed her.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

France Italy

Language:

French

Release Date:

19 July 1954 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Earrings of Madame de...

Filming Locations:

Forêt de Rambouillet, Yvelines, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Franco London Films, Indusfilms, Rizzoli Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

'Max Ophuls' would only direct the film if Danielle Darrieux agreed to star. The role was written with her specifically in mind.

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Goofs

When the general gives the earrings to Lola on the train, she is crying and has her little bag on her lap. In the next cut, the bag is on the table.

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Quotes

Comtesse Louise de...: [praying for her lover who is about to go on a duel with her husband] Save him, dear saint. You know that we were guilty in thought only. And what are thoughts? Will you save him, my dear saint? I thank you in advance. Blessed be your name in heaven as on earth. Amen.

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Connections

Version of Diamond Earrings (2001)

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Soundtracks

"Einmal im Leben ...(L'amour m'emporte)"
music: Oscar Straus
lyrics: Robert Gilbert & Armin Robinson

User Reviews

One of my all-time favourite movies!!!!

It's a movie I discovered 10 years ago, and I instantly fell in love with it. The romantic aspect of the movie was really jaw-breaking, and I couldn't keep admiring the incredible acting by the Danielle Darrieux/Charles Boyer/Vittorio de Sica trio. I was blown away by the powerful but slow and yet fast love between Danielle Darrieux's character and Vittorio de Sica's, by their beautiful intimacy and passion during the ballroom scenes, by the extremely romantic yet elegant love scene, and also the incredible twist the plot took just because of a pair of earrings!!! A must see!! It's such a shame though that the movie is underrated though it's a classic!! It deserves its place in French movie industry along Marcel Carné's, Jean Renoir's and François Truffaut's classics!!