Le Rouge et le Noir [The Red and the Black] *** (1954, Danielle Darrieux, Gérard Philipe, Antonella Lualdi) – Classic Movie Review 9977

Director Claude Autant-Lara’s 1954 French romantic drama Le Rouge et le Noir [The Red and the Black] is a good-looking, attractively acted adaptation of the once scandalous 1831 Stendhal novel, in which humble Julien Sorel (Gérard Philipe) becomes a priest and sells body and soul to high-born ladies Mme de Rénal (Danielle Darrieux) and Mathilde de La Mole (Antonella Lualdi) to climb up in society the post-Napoleonic era.

Unfortunately the film does not match the complex character and sociological insights that characterise the famous classic novel, but nevertheless it is certainly still highly engaging and entertaining. Handsome stars Philipe and Darrieux, especially, are rare company, and charming together. It looks a treat thanks to cinematographer Michel Kelber (Eastmancolor), the Production Design by Max Douy and the Costume Design by Rosine Delamare. And the score by René Cloërec is notable too.

Also in the cast are Jean Martinelli, Antoine Balpêtré, Robert Berri, André Brunot, Georges Descrières, Mirko Ellis, Pierre Jourdan, Jean Mercure, Alexandre Rignault, Anna Maria Sandri, Gérard Séty, Jacques Varennes, Claude Sylvain, Georges Wilson and Elsa Martinelli (uncredited).

It runs 185 minutes, 137 minutes (New York) or 113 minutes.

Le Rouge et le Noir [The Red and the Black] is directed by Claude Autant-Lara, runs 185 minutes, is made by Documento Film and Franco London Films, is released by Distributors Corporation of America (1958) (US), is written by Jean Aurneche (adaptation and dialogue), Pierre Bost (adaptation and dialogue) and Claude Autant-Lara (uncredited), is shot by Michel Kelber (Eastmancolor), is produced by Henry Deutschmeister and Gianni Hecht Lucari, is scored by René Cloërec, with Production Design by Max Douy and Costume Design by Rosine Delamare.

Autant-Lara sought the young stage actor Marlon Brando, who had not then made a movie, for the star role, but the movie was delayed, and Philipe was cast.

Danielle Darrieux died on October 17, 2017 in Bois-le-Roi, Eure, France. She was 100. Her career ran right back to Le Bal in 1931.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9977

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