La Vérité (1960)

A liberated small-town girl and the family's black sheep moves to Paris with her sister, only to find herself standing trial for the shocking murder of her young lover. Was his killing premeditated or was this a crime of passion?

Director:

Henri-Georges Clouzot

Writers:

Henri-Georges Clouzot (scenario), Simone Drieu (scenario)

Stars:

Brigitte Bardot, Paul Meurisse, Charles Vanel

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brigitte Bardot	...	Dominique Marceau
Paul Meurisse	...	Maître Éparvier
Charles Vanel	...	Maître Guérin
Sami Frey	...	Gilbert Tellier
Marie-José Nat	...	Annie Marceau
Jean-Loup Reynold	...	Michel
André Oumansky	...	Ludovic
Claude Berri	...	Georges
Jacques Perrin	...	Jérôme
Barbara Sommers	...	Daisy (as Barbara Sohmers)
Louis Seigner	...	Le président des assises
Raymond Meunier	...	Le cuistot du 'Spoutnik'
René Blancard	...	L'avocat général
Paul Bonifas	...	Un greffier
Hubert de Lapparent	...	Un avocat

Storyline

Dominique Marceau is on trial for the murder of Gilbert Tellier. The counsels duel relentlessly, elaborating explanations for why the pretty, idle and fickle girl killed the talented and ambitious conductor freshly graduated from the conservatory. Was it passion, vengeance, desperation, an accident? The acquaintances of Gilbert testify, as well as Dominique's former lovers, and her sister, Annie, the studious violin player engaged to Gilbert. The evidence they give progressively paints a more finely-shaded picture of the personalities of Dominique and Gilbert, and of their relationship, than the eloquent and convincing justifications of the counsels.

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Plot Keywords:

casual sex | female nudity | nudity | lazy | laziness | 

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Taglines:

Can you take the shock of the truth?

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Italian censorship visa # 64267 delivered on 20-4-1974.

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Quotes

The Prosecuting Attorney: You spent weeks seducing him, didn't you? Weeks!
Dominique's Attorney: Objection! What length of time should she have spent? Is there any legal limit on how long a seduction ought to take?

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Connections

Referenced in The Swindle (1997)

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Soundtracks

Bambolina
Written by Giorgio Gaber and Luigi Tenco

User Reviews

Watching this film is like reading a good book

Absorbing, extremely well-crafted, but overlong courtroom mystery by Henri-Georges Clouzot. Brigitte Bardot runs the gamut of emotions, and looks (from glamorous to - believe it or not - plain!), in an impressive performance which is probably one of her best, but the film goes on so long (2+ hours) that it cannot sustain the tension level at a high pitch; it ebbs and flows. **1/2 out of 4.

Details

Country:

France Italy

Language:

French

Release Date:

2 November 1960 (France)

Also Known As:

The Truth

Filming Locations:

Rue Saint-Antoine, Paris 4, Paris, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Han Productions, C.E.I.A.P., Iéna Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min 126 min (1961)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1