The Truth (1960)

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 ... See full summary »

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 | promiscuity | trial | 

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Taglines:

Clouzot Directs Bardot!

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Genres:

Drama

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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:

126 min (1961)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

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 L'enfer d'Henri-Georges Clouzot (2009)

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Soundtracks

Ma guitare à moi
Written by Jean Bonal

User Reviews

Judging Bardot

This is a particularly interesting film in relation to Bardot's star image. It portrays her as a little slut (she's had sex before marriage - cue shocked gasp from the courtroom) on trial for the murder of her lover. In many ways, the film thus acts out what many in France would like to have done - put BB on trial for her sexual promiscuity, her modernity, and her 'youthful' values. The film emphasises Bardot/ Dominique (the character is effectively overshadowed by the star who plays her) as sexual, modern, promiscious, flighty, idle, a spendthrift, all at odds with the uptight bourgeois ruling class. The film is a fascinating glimpse into the values that preoccupied the French bourgeoisie at the turn of the decade, with its emphasis on the students of the Latin Quarter as a drop out counter culture compared to the good youth learning traditional music at the Conservatoire. Not so much a generation clash, then, more one group rooted in tradition versus another embracing modernity and new models of behaviour. The film is sometimes unwittingly hysterical as it has dated so much, and it does not so much end as fizzle out, but in its depiction of a youthful counter culture it anticipates the events of May 1968 nearly a decade before they occur. BB may have lost the particular battle in this film, but she went on to win the war.