The Oldest Profession (1967)
"Le plus vieux métier du monde" (original title)

A collection of sketches on prostitution through the ages. 1) "The Prehistoric Era": A caveman discovers that a cavewoman is more attractive when cave paint is applied to her face. And she ... See full summary »

Directors:

Claude Autant-Lara, Mauro Bolognini,

Writers:

Jean Aurenche (screenplay), Jean Aurenche (story),

Stars:

Michèle Mercier, Enrico Maria Salerno, Gabriele Tinti

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michèle Mercier	...	Brit (segment "Ère préhistorique, L'")
Enrico Maria Salerno	...	Rak (segment "Ère préhistorique, L'")
Gabriele Tinti	...	L'uomo del mar (segment "Ère préhistorique, L'") (as Gabriel Tinti)
Elsa Martinelli	...	Domitilla (segment "Nuits romaines, Les")
Gastone Moschin	...	Flavius (segment "Nuits romaines, Les")
Giancarlo Cobelli	...	Menippo, le poète (segment "Nuits romaines")
Gianni Solaro	...	Un invité (segment "Nuits romaines")
Luigi Leoni	...	Un esclave (segment "Nuits romaines")
Jeanne Moreau	...	Mimi (segment "Mademoiselle Mimi")
Jean-Claude Brialy	...	Philibert (segment "Mademoiselle Mimi")
Jean Richard	...	Le commissaire du peuple (segment "Mademoiselle Mimi")
Jacques Monod	...	Un homme du peuple (segment "Mademoiselle Mimi")
Catherine Samie	...	Toinette (segment "Mademoiselle Mimi")
Gérard Lartigau	...	Antoine (segment "Mademoiselle Mimi")
Albert Rémy	...	Frenchman with 2 sous (segment "Mademoiselle Mimi")

Storyline

A collection of sketches on prostitution through the ages. 1) "The Prehistoric Era": A caveman discovers that a cavewoman is more attractive when cave paint is applied to her face. And she can earn more seashells that way. 2) "Roman Nights": The Emperor goes out seeking a little nocturnal amusement, only to find that the high-priced, Oriental courtesan he hires is his wife, the Empress. 3) "Mademoiselle Mimi": In revolutionary France, Mimi finds that her client, the nephew of a marquis, is more interested in watching the guillotinings out her window than he is in going to bed. 4) "The Gay Nineties": When Nini discovers by accident that her antiquated customer is a banker, she pretends to be an honest woman who has fallen in love with him. She even pays him, just like a gigolo! 5) "Paris Today": Two girls pick up clients by driving around in a car, and then an ambulance. Police pull the vehicle over for speeding. 6) "Anticipation": Demetrius has just arrived on Earth from another ...

---

Plot Keywords:

gay nineties | prostitution | farce | marriage | compilation | 

---

Taglines:

An Adult Affair in Luscious Color

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

Details

Country:

France West Germany Italy

Language:

French

Release Date:

8 November 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Oldest Profession

Company Credits

Production Co:

Athos Films, Franco London Films, Francoriz Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

User Reviews

Interesting concept

Sketch film. 6 segments telling the history of prostitution through ages. The one I liked the most: Jean-Luc Godard's Anticipation. Great imaginative work, with the use of black and white to amplify segment. I also liked Claude Autant-Lara's segment (Aujourd'hui) and Franco Indovina (L'Ère préhistorique). It's also a film that showcases the most beautiful actresses from the time: Anna Karina, Elsa Martinelli, Jeanne Moreau, etc.

Out of 100, I gave it 78. That's good for **½ out of **** stars.

Seen at home, in Toronto, on February 14th, 2004.