The Clockmaker of St. Paul (1974)

A Watchmaker finds out one day that his son has become a murderer. He tries to understand for whom and why.

Director:

Bertrand Tavernier

Writers:

Georges Simenon (novel), Jean Aurenche

Stars:

Philippe Noiret, Jean Rochefort, Jacques Denis

4 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Philippe Noiret	...	Michel Descombes - un paisible horloger
Jean Rochefort	...	Le commissaire Guilboud
Jacques Denis	...	Antoine - un ami de Michel
Yves Afonso	...	L'officer de police Bricard
Julien Bertheau	...	Edouard - un ami de Michel
Jacques Hilling	...	Costes - un journaliste
Clotilde Joano	...	Janine Boitard - une journaliste
Andrée Tainsy	...	Madeleine Fourmet - qui a élevé Bernard
William Sabatier	...	L'avocat
Cécile Vassort	...	Martine - une ouvrière
Sylvain Rougerie	...	Bernard Descombes - le fils de Michel
Christine Pascal	...	Liliane Torrini - la compagne de Bernard
Liza Braconnier	...	La femme de ménage
Hervé Morel	...	Bricard's assistant
Sacha Bauer	...	Le juge d'instruction

Storyline

Michel Descombes is a watchmaker in the district of Saint-Paul, Lyons. He lives quietly, alone with his almost grown-up son, Bernard. One day, the police come and say Bernard murdered a FACTORY OWNER. Superintendent Guiboud asks Michel for help. But Michel realizes how little he knows about his son. He also starts to feel he is unable to blame his son.

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Plot Keywords:

watchmaker | lyon | police arrest | arrest warrant | prison visit | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

28 June 1976 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Clockmaker

Filming Locations:

Croix-Rousse, Lyon, Rhône, Rhône-Alpes, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lira Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The little girl on the train at the beginning of the film is Tiffany Tavernier, the filmmaker's daughter.

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Crazy Credits

to Jacques Prevert

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Connections

Referenced in Sneak Previews: The Best and Worst Films of 1976 (1977)

User Reviews

Noiret is finest actor of his generation

Based on a Simenon novel (and probably much finer artistically than the source), this film reposes mainly on ths sturdy shoulders of Philippe Noiret, who is magnificent as a middle-aged tradesman who is trying to come to terms with the fact his son has killed a man. He tries to keep a level head as the political-media frenzy explodes all around him; a very hard thing to do in France, where the political affiliations of killer and victim are endlessly discussed in every cafe, every home.

Jean Rochefort plays the inspector, a frustrated idealist turned sour by the realization that he has found his level in the justice system and will not rise above it. The wary relationship between cop and father is the basis of the film--the son sppears only in the brief scene on the plane, a masterpiece of emotional restraint.