DramaCrimeRomance

Thérèse Raquin

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.

Release Date : 1953-11-06

Language :FrenchItalian

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Paris Films ProductionsLux Film

Production Country : FranceItaly

Alternative Titles : The AdultressThe Adulteress

Cast

Character Name : Thérèse Raquin

Original Name : Simone Signoret

Gender : Female

Character Name : Laurent

Original Name : Raf Vallone

Gender : Male

Character Name : Camille Raquin

Original Name : Jacques Duby

Gender : Male

Character Name : Georgette, la bonne

Original Name : Maria Pia Casilio

Gender : Female

Character Name : Madame Raquin

Original Name : Sylvie

Gender : Female

Character Name : le médecin

Original Name : Nerio Bernardi

Gender : Male

Character Name : Henri dit « Riton »

Original Name : Roland Lesaffre

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mme Noblet

Original Name : Madeleine Barbulée

Gender : Female

Character Name : M. Michaud

Original Name : Marcel André

Gender : Male

Character Name : le contrôleur dans le train

Original Name : Paul Frankeur

Gender : Male

Character Name : le chef de gare de Dijon

Original Name : Lucien Hubert

Gender : Male

Character Name : le serveur de l'hôtel

Original Name : Jacques Hilling

Gender : Male

Character Name : un camionneur

Original Name : Alain Terrane

Gender : Male

Character Name : M. Grivet

Original Name : Martial Rèbe

Gender : Male

Character Name : Le postier

Original Name : Bernard Véron

Gender : Male

Character Name :

Original Name : Jean Sylvère

Gender : Male

Character Name : Françoise, la bossue

Original Name : Francette Vernillat

Gender : Female

Character Name :

Original Name : Jean Rozenberg

Gender : Male

Character Name :

Original Name : Danielle Dumont

Gender : Female

Reviews

John Chard

@John Chard

2024-05-16

Thérèse is no Tease. Thérèse Raquin (AKA: The Adultress) is directed by Marcel Carné and Carné co-adapts the screenplay with Charles Spaak from the Émile Zola novel. It stars Simone Signoret, Raf Vallone, Jacques Duby, Maria Pia Casilio and Roland Lesaffre. Music is by Maurice Thiriet and cinematography by Roger Hubert. Carné reworks Zola's novel to be set in post-war Lyon and slips into a film noir gear. Plot essentially finds Signoret as Raquin, a severely repressed woman stuck in a marriage to her wimpy weasel of a cousin, not only that but she also has to share a home with his domineering mother. Then one day the strapping Laurent LeClaire (Vallone) enters her life, sparking a fiery affair, but as plans for the future are plotted, a turn of events drastically changes everything. The characterisations are strongly performed, the five principals (Lesaffre arrives late in the play as a key character) giving performances that really draw you into their respective worlds, for better or worse as regards the human condition. Carné skillfully blends the beautiful side of Lyon, such as the quaint cobbled streets and the River Rhone, with a dull bleakness that fogs Thérèse, a woman who has forgotten how to smile, sexual fulfilment a non entity. Hubert also brings his photographic skills to the show, providing some blisteringly gorgeous night shots that offer hope for the new found lovers. But there is a sign post up ahead and it says that the next stop is noirville, and after having spent half the film building his characters, Carné dashes hope and replaces it with misery. Fate plays a big part in the crux aspects of the film, a film noir staple of course, right up to the clinical finale that comes with a thunderous fait accompli. It's a bit draggy in parts as the director is at pains to show the humdrum side of life, but the change of gear at the mid-point - and the brilliant last quarter, make this a worthy addition for collectors of Frenchie noir. 8/10