Jules et Jim (1962)

Decades of a love triangle concerning two friends and an impulsive woman.

Director:

François Truffaut

Writers:

Henri-Pierre Roché (novel), François Truffaut (adaptation)

Stars:

Jeanne Moreau, Oskar Werner, Henri Serre

Nominated for 2 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jeanne Moreau	...	Catherine
Oskar Werner	...	Jules (as Oscar Werner)
Henri Serre	...	Jim
Vanna Urbino	...	Gilberte
Serge Rezvani	...	Albert (as Bassiak)
Anny Nelsen	...	Lucie
Sabine Haudepin	...	Sabine, la petite
Marie Dubois	...	Thérèse
Michel Subor	...	Récitant / Narrator (voice)

Storyline

In pre-WWI Paris, two friends, Jules (Austrian) and Jim (French), fall in love with the same woman, Catherine. But Catherine loves and marries Jules. When they meet again in Germany after the war, Catherine starts to love Jim - This is the story of three people in love, a love that doesn't affect their friendship, and about how their relationship evolves with the years.

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Plot Keywords:

marriage | french new wave | promiscuity | female psychopath | adulterous wife | 

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Taglines:

A Hymn to Life and Love

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Jim first visits Jules' home in Austria, Catherine shows him a picture of Jules costumed as Mozart. Oskar Werner, the actor who plays Jules, also portrayed Mozart in an earlier film.

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Goofs

When Catherine lights the letters on fire, they are at first away from her dress, but in the next shot they are burning on top of her dress.

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Quotes

Jules: The most important factor in any relationship is the woman's fidelity. The husband's is secondary. Who was it who wrote, "Woman is natural, therefore abominable?"
Jim: Baudelaire, but he was describing a certain world.
Jules: Not at all. He spoke of women in general. What he says about a young girl is magnificent: "Horror, monster, assassin of the arts, little fool, little slut. The greatest idiocy combined with the greatest depravity." Wait. I'm not finished. This is marvelous: "I'm always astonished they ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in The Deuce: The Feminism Part (2018)

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Soundtracks

Le Tourbillon
Written by Serge Rezvani
Performed by Jeanne Moreau
Played at the guitar by Serge Rezvani

User Reviews

Forces of Nature

There is a book by Goethe mentioned in this movie, it's "Wahlverwandschaften", and its appearance is quite meaningful. Because the movie takes a look on human loves and lives that is quite similar to older Goethe's fatalistic world-view in his novel, very far from hope and idealisms. Strength (Moreau's character) and Weakness (Jim) are equal forces of nature, and both conduct us to death. The stoic attitude (Jules) is resignation and, seen this way, it is "weakness" too, but, on the other hand, it seems to be the STRONGEST way, because it means survival. JULES ET JIM, both in its content and in its aesthetics, has an air of antique tragedies, but - and this is more like the German novel - without complain, without crying. That's why it leaves you so "unsatisfied", and that's why it's still disturbing, even today.

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French German English

Release Date:

23 January 1962 (Canada)

Also Known As:

Jules et Jim

Filming Locations:

Le Moulin d'Andé, 65 rue du Moulin, Andé, Normandie, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,206, 25 April 1999

Gross USA:

$509

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$446,908

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Films du Carrosse, Sédif Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1