Madame de... (1953)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Max Ophüls

Writers:

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

Release Date:

19 July 1954 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

It was her vanity that destroyed her.

Plot:

In the Paris of the late 19th century, Louise, wife of a general, sells the earrings her husband gave...

Plot Keywords:

Earring | Debt | Paris | Countess | Diplomat

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

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

Also Known As:

Diamond Earrings
Gioielli di Madame de ... (Italy)
The Earrings of Madame de... (USA)

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

France | Italy

Language:

French

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

Finland:K-12 | USA:Approved

Filming Locations:

Forêt de Rambouillet, Yvelines, France

Company:

Franco London Films

Trivia:

Vittorio De Sica was a huge fan of 'Max Ophuls' and wanted Jean Gabin's role in Le plaisir (1952). Ophuls told him no, but that he would find him a dignifying role in another film. The Role of the Baron was written with him in mind for this film.

Goofs:

Continuity: 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.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Working with Max Ophuls: Alain Jessua on the Making of 'Madame de...' (2006) (V)

Classic romantic tragedy

All the qualities of director Max Ophul's genius -- elegant stylishness, refined irony, meticulous construction of class milieu, and exceptionally fluid camera work -- are on full display in The Earrings of Madame de ..., which many consider his greatest work. This story of an innocent flirtation which turns into an obsessive spiritual adultery features the powerhouse ensemble acting of Charles, Boyer, Danielle Darieux, and Vittorio De Sica (later to gain fame as a director himself), all of whom are perfectly cast and bring immense subtlety to their roles. The atmosphere of old-world upper-class decadence has rarely been created so effectively on the screen. All that being said, this film isn't for everyone: some may consider it slow-moving and soap-opera like. But if grand tragic aristocratic romance appeals to you, or if you're seriously interested in cinema and want to see a master film-maker's technique at its peak, then this will be a must-see. In black and white, but so well photographed that you hardly miss the color. No advisories, but children won't be interested. The new Criterion box has an excellent DVD transfer with an interesting booklet included. In French, with English subtitles.