Purple Noon (1960)
"Plein soleil" (original title)

Tom Ripley is a talented mimic, moocher, forger and all-around criminal improviser; but there's more to Tom Ripley than even he can guess.

Director:

René Clément

Writers:

Patricia Highsmith (novel), René Clément (adaptation),

Stars:

Alain Delon, Maurice Ronet, Marie Laforêt

1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Alain Delon	...	Tom Ripley / Philippe Greenleaf
Maurice Ronet	...	Philippe Greenleaf
Marie Laforêt	...	Marge Duval
Erno Crisa	...	Riccordi
Frank Latimore	...	O'Brien
Billy Kearns	...	Freddy Miles (as Bill Kearns)
Ave Ninchi	...	Signora Gianna
Viviane Chantel	...	The Belgian lady
Nerio Bernardi	...	Agency Director
Barbel Fanger
Lily Romanelli	...	Housekeeper
Nicolas Petrov	...	Boris
Elvire Popesco	...	Mrs. Popova

Storyline

Tom Ripley is sent to Europe by Mr. Greenleaf to fetch his spoiled, playboy son, Philippe, and bring him back home to the States. In return, Tom will receive $5,000. Philippe toys with Tom, pretending he will go back home, but has no intentions of leaving his bride to be, Marge, and honoring his father's wishes. After some time passes, Mr. Greenleaf considers the mission a failure and cuts Tom off. Tom, in desperation, kills Philippe, assumes his identity, and lives the life of a rich playboy. However, he will need all his conman abilities to keep Philippe's friends and the police off the trail.

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Plot Keywords:

mimic | moocher | forger | police | stabbed in the chest | 

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Taglines:

Passion at ten. Envy at eleven. Murder at noon.

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Genres:

Crime | Thriller | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for momentary violence and sexuality

Details

Country:

France Italy

Language:

French Italian English

Release Date:

10 March 1960 (France)

Also Known As:

Lust for Evil

Filming Locations:

Ischia Island, Naples, Campania, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Robert et Raymond Hakim, Paris Film, Paritalia

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Author Patricia Highsmith, on whose novel "Plein soleil" was based, expressed satisfaction with the film, which she called "very beautiful to the eye and interesting for the intellect," and with Alain Delon's performance as Tom Ripley. She was, however, disappointed with the film's ending, calling it "a terrible concession to so-called public morality."

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Goofs

Alain Delon's belt goes over the middle belt loop on the back of his white Levis about eight minutes into the film. A couple of minutes later, the belt goes through the loop, though the action was continuous, with no possibility of him having removed his belt to correct this fashion fumble.

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Connections

Edited into Spisok korabley (2008)

User Reviews

Disturbingly beautiful photography of murder at sea.

This is one of those movies that will persist in your memory. Head and shoulders above recent remake - "Talented Mr. Ripley". The beautiful photography and horrifying crimes will fascinate and disturb. Alain Delon is delightfully deceitful (as Ripley). Marie Laforet (Marge) is stunningly beautiful. A must see for film noir fans.