Maigret tend un piège (1958)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Jean Delannoy

Writers:

Georges Simenon (novel)
Jean Delannoy (adaptation) ...

Release Date:

29 January 1958 (France)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Plot Keywords:

Police | Le Marais | Based On Novel | Character Name In Title

Awards:

Nominated for 3 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 1 win

Cast

Jean Gabin	...	Le commissaire divisionnaire Jules Maigret
Annie Girardot	...	Yvonne Maurin
Olivier Hussenot	...	Lagrume
Jeanne Boitel	...	Louise Maigret
Lucienne Bogaert	...	Mme Veuve Adèle Maurin
Jean Debucourt	...	Camille Guimard - le directeur de la Police Judiciaire (as Jean Debucourt, sociétaire de la Comédie Française)
Guy Decomble	...	Mazet
Paulette Dubost	...	Mauricette Barberot
Jacques Hilling	...	Le médecin légiste
Hubert de Lapparent	...	Le juge Coméliau
Jean-Louis Le Goff	...	Goudier (as Jean-Louis Le Goff, de la Comédie Française)
Pierre-Louis	...	Rougin - un journaliste (as Pierre Louis)
Gérard Séty	...	Georges "Jojo" Vacher (as Gérard Sety)
Jean Tissier	...	Le journaliste de Paris-Presse
André Valmy	...	L' inspecteur Lucas

Also Known As:

Il commissario Maigret (Italy)
Inspector Maigret (USA)
Maigret Lays a Trap (International: English title)
Maigret Sets a Trap (UK)
Woman-Bait (USA) (reissue title)

Runtime:

119 min

Country:

France | Italy

Language:

French

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:X

Filming Locations:

Studios Eclair, Epinay-sur-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis, France

Company:

Intermondia Films

Quotes:

Inspector Jules Maigret: Wow, there IS grey matter working under these rollers.

Soundtrack:

Ca ne sert à rien

The ultimate Maigret screen adaptation

Alongside Molinaro's "La Mort de Belle", the best adaptation of a Simenon story for the big screen.

Helmer Delannoy proves a past master at creating a stifling atmosphere ( night scenes, a hot stormy weather, a heady melody pervading the story ), managing to make the tension rise and swell regularly until it explodes in a triple climax ( Maurice's interrogation, the confrontation of Maurice's wife and mother, the final attempt to murder Mauricette ). So, when the rain finally starts falling in the final seconds of the movie, it does as much good to bulky, weary Gabin as it does to the tense viewer.

Of course, the film benefits from a great interpretation : Jean Gabin gives life to his determined-shrewd-exhausted "commissaire" while Jean Desailly shines as the poor but dangerous Maurice whose boyhood has been prolonged by the misguided love of his mother ( Lucienne Bogaërt, perfect ). And Annie Girardot plays subtly and with welcome restraint the loving wife of a monster.

Sure, Misraki's music and song are haunting and the camera-work is sleek, but what actually makes this film a major work is that the authors( R.M.Arlaud, Delannoy and Audiard ) are true to the spirit of Simenon : disillusioned with human nature but sympathetic with those who are its victims, however monstrous they may appear to society.