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A janitor fakes being a teacher, writes a book, and accidentally becomes the main character.
TMDB
65
IMDb
54
Google
90

Le Pion (1978)

underdog hustlegentle chaosFrench melancholy

Overview

ComedyDrama

Humiliated and down on his luck, a superintendent turns his life around when he decides to write a book.

Flag of FRFRFrench
Content warning
based on novel or bookschool lifefake identitywriterfalling in lovesubstitute teacherpiano lessons

Standout Aspects

Acting

Henri Guybet's pathetic dignity is genuinely moving.

Writing

The book-within-a-movie structure is clever without being smug.

Best for:Solo: Rainy afternoon when you need a soft, weird win.·Date Night: For couples who bond over obscure 70s French comedies.
C

Director

Christian Gion

ReleasedOct 25, 1978
Runtime1h 25m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacesteady
Intensitymedium
Tonemixed
Feelmedium
Les Films 21

Top Cast

Henri Guybet

Henri Guybet

Bertrand Barabi

Claude Jade

Claude Jade

Dominique Benech

Maureen Kerwin

Maureen Kerwin

Mlle Thuillier

Claude Piéplu

Claude Piéplu

Schuldirektor

Michel Galabru

Michel Galabru

Schulinspektor

Claude Dauphin

Claude Dauphin

Albert Carreaud

Bernard Musson

Bernard Musson

Boussignac

Ask about Le Pion

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

Based on Jean Duché's novel, which was itself loosely inspired by real educational scandals in 1970s France.

Cultural

Claude Jade, here playing the love interest, was Truffaut's muse in the Antoine Doinel films — her presence adds bittersweet New Wave baggage.

Gallery

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