Because he has seduced Germaine de Boismenil, Georges Dormont is thrown out of the army by the colonel and husband of the beautiful. After the death of the Count of Boismenil, Dormont arrived at the castle of the widow with the firm intention of taking revenge. From the outset, he seduces Pierrette, the servant, revives the heart of Germaine, having gotten an appointment with the widow, he makes her naked, humiliates and leaves her. Witness of the scene, Martha, the proud orphan, throws herself into the arms of Gaston, faithful order of the colonel, to avenge her mother. George soon flouted their feelings. He then forces Germaine to reveal his attachment to Pierrette and causes a beautiful scandal.
Acting
Brel's committed chaos as a vengeful seducer on autopilot.
Production
Decaying castle as character—decadence in every frame.
Director
Jean Valère
Carole André
Marthe de Boismenil
Jacques Brel
Georges Dormond - un aspirant dégradé
Catherine Rouvel
Pierette
Françoise Prévost
La comtesse Germaine de Boismenil
Paul Le Person
Gaston
Pascal Mazzotti
Armand Dubois - un entomologiste
Yves Brainville
(voice)
Pippo Mérisi
Le marchand de vins
Maria Michi
Hortense Dubois - la femme d'Armand
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Adapted from Pierre Drieu La Rochelle's 1936 novel, a writer later infamous for fascist collaboration—explaining the ugliness beneath the farce.
Brel, primarily a legendary singer-songwriter, used his brief film career to play men on the edge—this might be his most unhinged.
FR
