Star-crossed lovers Thérèse and Laurent think they've gotten away with murder after Thérèse's weakling husband "falls" from a speeding train. But when forced to contend with a blackmailer's demands and the mute accusations of Thérèse's mother-in-law, it's only a matter of time before the law, their passion or blind chance trips them up.
Acting
Signoret's eyes do more work than most scripts.
Direction
Carné makes claustrophobia feel like another character.
Cinematography
Shadows so thick you could smother in them.
Director
Marcel Carné
Simone Signoret
Thérèse Raquin
Raf Vallone
Laurent
Jacques Duby
Camille Raquin
Maria Pia Casilio
Georgette, la bonne
Sylvie
Madame Raquin
Nerio Bernardi
le médecin
Roland Lesaffre
Henri dit « Riton »
Madeleine Barbulée
Mme Noblet
Marcel André
M. Michaud
Paul Frankeur
le contrôleur dans le train
Lucien Hubert
le chef de gare de Dijon
Jacques Hilling
le serveur de l'hôtel
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Zola's 1867 novel was so scandalous it was banned in Russia; Carné had to tame the eroticism for 1950s censors while keeping the moral rot.
FR
