The Fire Within (1963)
"Le feu follet" (original title)

Alain Leroy is having a course of treatment in a private hospital because of his problem with alcohol. Although he is constantly distressed, he leaves the hospital and tries to meet good ... See full summary »

Director:

Louis Malle

Writer:

Pierre Drieu La Rochelle (based on the novel by)

Stars:

Maurice Ronet, Léna Skerla, Yvonne Clech

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Maurice Ronet	...	Alain Leroy
Léna Skerla	...	Lydia
Yvonne Clech	...	Mademoiselle Farnoux
Hubert Deschamps	...	D'Averseau
Jean-Paul Moulinot	...	Dr. La Barbinais
Mona Dol	...	Madame La Barbinais
Pierre Moncorbier	...	Moraine
René Dupuy	...	Charlie (as René Dupuis)
Bernard Tiphaine	...	Milou
Bernard Noël	...	Dubourg
Ursula Kubler	...	Fanny
Jeanne Moreau	...	Eva
Alain Mottet	...	Urcel
François Gragnon	...	François Minville
Romain Bouteille	...	Jérôme Minville

Storyline

Alain Leroy is having a course of treatment in a private hospital because of his problem with alcohol. Although he is constantly distressed, he leaves the hospital and tries to meet good old days' friends. None of them will be helpful, increasing Alain's distress.

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Plot Keywords:

versailles | doctor | old friend | drinking | dinner party | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

7 October 1966 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Fire Within

Filming Locations:

87 Boulevard de la Reine, Versailles, Yvelines, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Nouvelles Éditions de Films (NEF)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Minville twins, well-off OAS sympathisers, were added to the script by Malle as a criticism of right wing nouvelle vague directors and their support for the French occupation of Algeria.

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Goofs

As Alain walks on the streets of Paris, the crew (pushing the dolly) is visible on the shop windows he passes by.

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Quotes

Alain Leroy: Life flows too slowly on me. So I speed it up. I set it right.

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Connections

Version of Le feu follet (1994)

User Reviews

My favorite film

Wonderful study of the last day in the life of a man. This movie has one specific scene where Alan Leroy (Maurice Ronet), sitting at a cafe in Paris, takes his first alcoholic drink after months of rehabilitation. This scene is complimented by stunning photography of Chislain Cloquet and the haunting music of Eric Satie. Malle captures the true meaning of existentialist philosophy and manages to create a movie that does not wallow in self-pity but instead celebrates our ability to choose whether to live or die.