The Old Gun (1975)

During World War II, a peaceful French surgeon is forced to ruthlessly exterminate the Nazis because of their atrocities.

Director:

Robert Enrico

Writers:

Robert Enrico, Pascal Jardin

Stars:

Philippe Noiret, Romy Schneider, Jean Bouise

4 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Philippe Noiret	...	Julien Dandieu
Romy Schneider	...	Clara Dandieu
Jean Bouise	...	François
Joachim Hansen	...	SS Officer
Robert Hoffmann	...	Lieutenant
Karl Michael Vogler	...	Dr. Müller
Caroline Bonhomme	...	Florence Dandieu - Age 8
Catherine Delaporte	...	Florence Dandieu - Age 13
Madeleine Ozeray	...	Julien's Mother
Daniel Breton
Jean-Paul Cisife	...	Milice Chief
Antoine Saint-John	...	German Soldier Killed in the Kitchen
Maurice Bes
Bernard Bireaud
Jean Le Boulbar

Storyline

In Montauban in 1944, Julien Dandieu in a surgeon in the local hospital. Frightened by the German army entering Montauban, he asks his friend Francois to drive his wife and his daughter in the back country village where Julien has an old castle. One week later, Julien decided to meet then for the week end, but the Germans are already occupying the village.

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Plot Keywords:

child murder | war atrocity | murder | one man army | grief | 

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Taglines:

Is a Love Worth Dying For...Is a Love Worth Killing For...?

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller | War

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Lino Ventura was asked to be Philippe Noiret 's character but refused because it was too violent for him.

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Goofs

Around the 24th minute the medical staff is standing in their blood stained outfits discussing a next case. The X-ray is an abdominal overview showing 3 metal fragments, maybe bullets. When the camera moves away and then returns the X-ray is upside down. The next time after the camera has moved it is correctly hung again.

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Alternate Versions

West German theatrical version was changed to show German soldiers in a less inhuman way. Some scenes were deleted, others were substituted. The East German version was unchanged.

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Connections

Remade as Staroe ruzhe (2014)

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Soundtracks

Le Vieux Fusil 1944
Written and Performed by François de Roubaix Et Orchestre

User Reviews

@writers_reign

> This is where we may wonder why it has taken so much to rouse this peaceful man;

Everybody has his own threshold of awakening; and this film is actually the story of awakening - this is why the whole first part showing his peaceful life, even during the war, up until he is led to his threshold, and so the contrast between that and merciful killer that he becomes, becomes even more powerful.

> The next question we find ourselves asking is why he is content to go up against men armed with pistols, rifles,machine guns, grenades and flame-throwers with only a shotgun rather than picking off one man and appropriating his weaponry.

The best weapon is the weapon you are used to, the weapon you trust. Plus, this old gun together with the old castle and their old owner, become one collective weapon against the invaders. Not wise to take one piece out.

Details

Official Sites:

Distributor's official site Productor's official site

Country:

France West Germany

Language:

French German

Release Date:

22 August 1975 (France)

Also Known As:

Vengeance One by One

Filming Locations:

Bruniquel, Tarn-et-Garonne, France

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,225

Company Credits

Production Co:

L.C.J Editions & Productions, Les Productions Artistes Associés, Mercure Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1