Garde à vue (1981)

A police inspector, suspecting an attorney of two child sex murders, has him held for a questioning session that goes on for hours.

Director:

Claude Miller

Writers:

John Wainwright (novel), Claude Miller

Stars:

Lino Ventura, Michel Serrault, Romy Schneider

6 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Lino Ventura	...	Inspector Antoine Gallien
Michel Serrault	...	Jerome / Charles / Emile Martinaud
Romy Schneider	...	Chantal Martinaud
Guy Marchand	...	Inspector Marcel Belmont
Didier Agostini	...	Young policeman
Patrick Depeyrrat	...	Policeman
Pierre Maguelon	...	Adami
Annie Miller	...	La mère de Camille
Serge Malik	...	Le mécanicien
Jean-Claude Penchenat	...	Divisional Commissioner
Yves Pignot	...	Policeman
Mathieu Schiffman	...	Le fils Berthier
Michel Such	...	Jean-Marie Jabelain
Elsa Lunghini	...	Camille
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mohammed Bekireche	...	Arab

Storyline

Inspector Gallien is investigating the rape and murder of two little girls. The only suspect is attorney Jerome Martinaud, but the evidence against him is circumstantial. As the city celebrates New Year's Eve, Gallien calls Martinaud to his office and interrogates him for hour after hour while Martinaud continues to maintain his innocence. We learn all about the evidence; we meet Martinaud's wife and learn all about the rift between the two; but will we, and Gallien, finally learn whether Martinaud is guilty?

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Plot Keywords:

police station | murder of a girl | murder | suspect | rape | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

23 September 1981 (France)

Also Known As:

The Grilling

Filming Locations:

Préfecture des Yvelines - 11 Avenue de Paris, Versailles, Yvelines, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Films Ariane,TF1 Films Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The novel was discovered by Michel Audiard who suggested its adaptation to Ariane Films. In their turn, Dancigers and Mnouchkine offered the direction to Claude Miller.

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Connections

Featured in Un jour, un destin: Michel Serrault, la fureur de rire (2013)

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Soundtracks

A La Sous-Préfecture
Written and Performed by Georges Delerue Et Son Orchestre

User Reviews

GARDE à VUE-An excellent psychological drama directed by Claude Miller starring Lino Ventura and Michel Serrault.

Those who watch French films either to improve their knowledge of French cinema or to learn subtle nuances of French language cannot remain indifferent to the charms of the great French actor Lino Ventura. There is some kind of "JE NE SAIS QUOI" type of quality in him which makes him stand apart from the usual group of French actors. Garde à Vue sees him paired against Michel Serrault who is also considered as one of France's important actors.This entire film is their indispensable vehicle to deliberate about justice,law and unusual methods of police procedures.A deft cat and mouse game with limited movement could be considered as this film's apt description.In the midst of these two towering figures,there are also some minor figures who steal the show on their own.Director Claude Miller achieves this effect by casting Guy Marchand as a police inspector and Romy Schneider as the main suspect's wife.The dialogs penned by Michel Audiard have a certain kind of literary aura to them.This is one reason why viewers would be more interested in pricking up their ears in order not to miss any line.Film critic Lalit Rao saw this film during Franco-German mystery and thriller film festival organized by Alliance Française de Bangalore and Goethe Institut in 1992.