Casque d'Or (1952) [The Criterion Collection]

Director: Jacques Becker
Writers: Jacques Becker (scenario), Jacques Companéez (scenario)
Stars: Simone Signoret, Serge Reggiani, Claude Dauphin

Jacques Becker lovingly evokes the belle epoque Parisian demimonde in this classic tale of doomed romance. When gangster’s moll Marie (Simone Signoret) falls for reformed criminal Manda (Serge Reggiani), their passion incites an underworld rivalry that leads inexorably to treachery and tragedy. With poignant, nuanced performances and sensuous black-and-white photography, Casque d’or (Golden Marie) is Becker at the height of his cinematic powers – a romantic masterpiece.



Note: Audio commentary by film scholar Peter Cowie

More in My Blog