Le vieux fusil (1975)

 

 

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

Compelling  (and violent) WWII revenge drama based on a true event mostly avoids any psychological depth in the characterization of its protagonists, but is more interested displaying their despair and distress caused by the Nazi crimes.

 

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.

From memory: Compelling psychological crime drama mainly consists of conversations enlivened by the excellent performances and reveals a fascinating and shocking mystery with a devastating ending.

Halliwell**: "Excellently acted, engrossing contest of wits."

Maltin***: "Tense, involving drama, with fine performances by all."

 

 

 

Il gattopardo (1963)

On the set: Burt Lancaster, Romy Schneider, Alain Delon and Luchino Visconti

Le procès (1962)

On the set. Orson Welles and Romy Schneider

Romy Schneider

Le procès (1962)

On the set: Romy Schneider and Orson Welles (ph: Jean-Claude Sauer)

Bloodline (1979)

When her father is murdered, a pharmaceutical heiress becomes the next target of an unknown killer amid the international jet set.

From memory: Despite all the effort in production value and an all-star cast this is a disappointingly messy and barely mediocre thriller.

Halliwell (no star): "Involved all-star-suspense shocker which seems constantly about to be better than it ever is."

Maltin BOMB: "Unbearable adaptation..."

L'important c'est d'aimer (1975)

On the set: Romy Schneider

(ph: Jean Gaumy)

Les choses de la vie (1970)

César et Rosalie (1972)

Cesar is in love with Rosalie, but Rosalie isn't making it easy for him, especially when her old flame enters the picture.

A wildly meandering story of a ménage à trois works mostly due to its excellent cast, but its plot is not really that interesting.

Halliwell*: "Wryly amusing comedy for adults."

Maltin***: "Appealing stars in typically French story of a ménage à trois..."

La Mort en direct (1980)

In a future where dying of illness is exceedingly rare, a terminally ill woman becomes a celebrity and a man with camera implants goes to secretly record her for a morbid TV show.

Unusual, but awkward sci-fi satire is right on with its social predictions, but the plot treads along somewhat haphazardly, and there are some memorable scenes of over-acting along the way.

Halliwell**: "Grim fable of media manipulation and sensationalist pressures on popular entertainment that retains its resonance."

Maltin***: "Intelligent sci-fi drama...A biting commentary on media abuse and manipulation, with solid performances, direction."

Sissi (1955)

What's New Pussycat (1965)

Romy Schneider

Triple Cross (1966)

A British bank robber finds himself caught between the waring parties in WW2.

Old-fashioned, mildy entertaining espionage thriller; a bit too long and, like its hero, strangely apolitical.

Halliwell (no star): "Ho-hum biopic of double agent Eddie Chapman; effective scenes merely interrupt the general incoherence."

Maltin**: "Adequate WW2 spy yarn...A bit too long."

Romy Schneider

Romy Schneider

Bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romy_Schneider

Le Combat dans l'île (1962)

On the set: Romy Schneider