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.
Cast
| Marie | Simone Signoret |
| Georges Manda | Serge Reggiani |
| Felix Leca | Claude Dauphin |
| Raymond | Raymond Bussiéres |
| Danard | Gaston Modot |
| Police Inspector Giuliani | Paul Barge |
| Julie | Dominique Davray |
Credits
| Director | Jacques Becker |
| Producer | Robert Hakim |
| Production manager | Henri Baum |
| Screenplay | Jacques Becker and Jacques Companeez |
| Adaptation and dialogue | Jacques Becker |
| Cinematography | Robert Le Febvre |
| Editing | Marguerite Renoir |
| Sound | Antoine Petitjean |
| Costume design | Mayo |
| Assistant director | Marcel Camus |
| Music | Georges van Parys |
May 14, 2009
Here’s a definite must-read: in its latest issue, Bright Lights Film Journal features André Bazin’s essay “Fifteen Years of French Cinema,” in its first-ever English translation (by Bert Cardullo). Originally delivered . . .
by Philip Kemp
Jan 17, 2005
Along with Touchez pas au grisbi and Le Trou, Casque d’or is now widely recognized as the summit of Jacques Becker’s achievement as a filmmaker, a distillation of everything that’s most personal and central to his vision. All the more surprising . . .