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IMDbPro

Clean Slate

Original title: Coup de torchon
  • 19811981
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 2h 8m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
6.2K
YOUR RATING
Clean Slate (1981)
Watch Bande-annonce [OV]
Play trailer2:29
2 Videos
36 Photos
ComedyCrimeDrama
A pathetic police chief, humiliated by everyone around him, suddenly wants a clean slate in life - and resorts to drastic means to do so.A pathetic police chief, humiliated by everyone around him, suddenly wants a clean slate in life - and resorts to drastic means to do so.A pathetic police chief, humiliated by everyone around him, suddenly wants a clean slate in life - and resorts to drastic means to do so.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
6.2K
YOUR RATING
    • Bertrand Tavernier
    • Jean Aurenche
    • Bertrand Tavernier
    • Jim Thompson(novel "Pop. 1280")
  • Stars
    • Philippe Noiret
    • Isabelle Huppert
    • Stéphane Audran
    • Bertrand Tavernier
    • Jean Aurenche
    • Bertrand Tavernier
    • Jim Thompson(novel "Pop. 1280")
  • Stars
    • Philippe Noiret
    • Isabelle Huppert
    • Stéphane Audran
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 40User reviews
    • 40Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar

    Videos2

    Bande-annonce [OV]
    Trailer 2:29
    Watch Bande-annonce [OV]
    Clean Slate
    Trailer 2:06
    Watch Clean Slate

    Photos36

    Jean-Pierre Marielle and Philippe Noiret in Clean Slate (1981)
    Philippe Noiret in Clean Slate (1981)
    Philippe Noiret in Clean Slate (1981)
    Stéphane Audran, Isabelle Huppert, Jean-Pierre Marielle, and Philippe Noiret in Clean Slate (1981)
    Clean Slate (1981)
    Isabelle Huppert and Philippe Noiret in Clean Slate (1981)
    Isabelle Huppert and Philippe Noiret in Clean Slate (1981)
    Philippe Noiret in Clean Slate (1981)
    Clean Slate (1981)
    Clean Slate (1981)
    Clean Slate (1981)
    Clean Slate (1981)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Philippe Noiret
    Philippe Noiret
    • Lucien Cordier
    Isabelle Huppert
    Isabelle Huppert
    • Rose Marcaillou
    Stéphane Audran
    Stéphane Audran
    • Huguette…
    Jean-Pierre Marielle
    Jean-Pierre Marielle
    • Le Peron et son frère L'adjudant Georges Le Peron
    Eddy Mitchell
    Eddy Mitchell
    • Nono…
    Guy Marchand
    Guy Marchand
    • Marcel Chavasson
    Irène Skobline
    • Anne…
    Michel Beaune
    Michel Beaune
    • Vanderbrouck…
    Jean Champion
    Jean Champion
    • Priest
    Victor Garrivier
    • Marcaillou
    Gérard Hernandez
    • Leonelli
    Abdoulaye Diop
    • Fête Nat - le serviteur noir de Lucien
    Daniel Langlet
    Daniel Langlet
    • Paulo - un flic larvaire
    François Perrot
    François Perrot
    • Le colonel Tramichel
    Raymond Hermantier
    • L'aveugle
    Mamadou Dioumé
    • Mamadou - l'interprète
    Samba Mané
    • Vendredi - un noir qui en sait trop
    Irénée Martin
    • La femme au cimetière
    • (uncredited)
      • Bertrand Tavernier
      • Jean Aurenche
      • Bertrand Tavernier
      • Jim Thompson(novel "Pop. 1280")
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The singer Eddy Mitchell, in a major fictional role for the first time, thought he was so bad after watching the dailies that he insisted to do some of his scenes once again. Because no one would agree, he jokingly stated: "since I'm actually the richest one of the crew, I'll pay for all the scenes I'm allowed to do again" and was almost taken seriously. From then on, he never went to watch the dailies again.
    • Goofs
      Towards the end, Rose is walking on the pier and after they say in a loudspeaker 'Attention! Curfew tonight at 9 o'clock...', she turns around and the shadow of the cameraman can be clearly seen on the ground on her right.
    • Quotes

      Lucien Cordier: Do you know why dogs sniff each other's butts? When dogs still ruled the world, they held a convention to vote new laws. The head dog said: "I suggest that due to poor hygiene here, our assholes we leave at the door." The dogs agreed and de-assholed. But just then, a tornado blew in and mixed all the assholes up. Not one dog recognized his own. Ever since, they smell each other's asses. And it'll go on till the end of time.

    • Crazy credits
      In the opening credits, we are correctly informed that the film is based on the novel "Pop. 1280"; but during the end titles, we are informed that it is based on "Pop. 1275". This is consistent with the official title retained for the translation into French, which is "1275 Ames" (literally: "1275 Souls"), and which reflects the fact that 5 people have died during the course of action.
    • Connections
      Featured in Keskiyön auringon kuvat (1987)

    User reviews40

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    A Great Film
    This is one of my favorite films. After all these years, it holds up beautifully. It's surreal, funny, tragic, strange, and somehow all holds together.

    Noiret is wonderful, and a great foil for Huppert, with his hang-dog looks and understated acting. Although he plays a policeman, Noiret's character makes his own decisions about justice without the need for pesky government interference.

    Isabelle Huppert and Stephane Audran are also perfect in their roles.

    The cinematography is superb, with beautiful shots of Africa.

    It's hard to categorize this movie, but Coup de Torchon is a must see! I think I've seen it 4 times.
    helpful•45
    13
    • mojoan
    • Feb 13, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 4, 1981 (France)
      • France
      • French
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Avenue Blaise-Diagne, Saint-Louis, Senegal
    • Production companies
      • Les Films de la Tour
      • Films A2
      • Little Bear
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 2 hours 8 minutes
      • Color
      • Mono

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