The subject matter of this film of Christian-Jaque could not be in greater contrast to his 'Madame' which came before and 'Le Tulipe Noir' which came after and although not such an obvious crowd pleaser as those two was a notable box-office success.
Briefly it concerns a brilliant but morally ambiguous criminal lawyer Charles Cassidi who prosecutes a nurse for murder knowing that she is innocent. Juge d'instruction Gaudet comes to believe in her innocence but is powerless to prevent her being found guilty. Although cynical and pessimistic in tone the clever twist at the end leads us to believe that justice might prevail........ It has been adapted from the novel by Jean Laborde who had been a reporter for France Soir specialising in judicial affairs and who certainly knew whereof he wrote.
The four leads are perfectly cast. As befits his character's profession Pierre Brasseur plays to the gallery as Cassidi and the scene where he makes a witness look like an idiot is masterful. The presence of Virna Lisi here reflects that this is a Franco-Italian production. Her casting as the accused nurse is surprising but extremely effective and proves once more that she is so much more than just a pretty face. The same might apply to Marina Vlady who plays the murdered mans wife. Her character has the face of an angel and the heart of a demon. The most interesting character by far is Gaudet in a beautifully subtle and understated performance by Bourvil.
Good writing of course makes good actors even better and the cast is served well by the pungent dialogue of Henri Jeanson. It is shot in razor sharp black and white by veteran Armand Thirard.
This might not have the same crusading zeal as the films of the admirable and well-intentioned André Cayatte but it gets the point across just as effectively that Justice and the Law are distant cousins.
Briefly it concerns a brilliant but morally ambiguous criminal lawyer Charles Cassidi who prosecutes a nurse for murder knowing that she is innocent. Juge d'instruction Gaudet comes to believe in her innocence but is powerless to prevent her being found guilty. Although cynical and pessimistic in tone the clever twist at the end leads us to believe that justice might prevail........ It has been adapted from the novel by Jean Laborde who had been a reporter for France Soir specialising in judicial affairs and who certainly knew whereof he wrote.
The four leads are perfectly cast. As befits his character's profession Pierre Brasseur plays to the gallery as Cassidi and the scene where he makes a witness look like an idiot is masterful. The presence of Virna Lisi here reflects that this is a Franco-Italian production. Her casting as the accused nurse is surprising but extremely effective and proves once more that she is so much more than just a pretty face. The same might apply to Marina Vlady who plays the murdered mans wife. Her character has the face of an angel and the heart of a demon. The most interesting character by far is Gaudet in a beautifully subtle and understated performance by Bourvil.
Good writing of course makes good actors even better and the cast is served well by the pungent dialogue of Henri Jeanson. It is shot in razor sharp black and white by veteran Armand Thirard.
This might not have the same crusading zeal as the films of the admirable and well-intentioned André Cayatte but it gets the point across just as effectively that Justice and the Law are distant cousins.
