#270: BECKER, Jacques: Casque D'Or (1952)

BECKER, Jacques (France)
Casque D'Or [1952]
Spine #270
DVD


Jacques Becker lovingly evokes the Belle Époque 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.

98 minutes
Black & White
Monaural
in French
1:33:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2005
Director/Writers


Screenplay by Jacques Becker and Jacques Companéez.
Adaptation and dialogue by Becker.
Becker was 46 when he directed Casque D'or.

Other Becker films in the Collection:

#271: Touchz Pas Au Grisbi (1954)
#129: Le Trou (1960)

The Film

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Eight-page wraparound featuring an essay by Philip Kemp.

Commentary

By film scholar Peter Cowie.

Video interview 1

From 1995 with actor Reggiani.

Video interview 2

From 1963 with actress Signoret from the French television program Cinépanorama.

Excerpt

From the episode of the French television series Cinéastes de notre temps dedicated to Becker.

Rare, silent behind-the-scenes

Footage of Becker on the set, with commentary by film scholar Kemp.

Alternate

English-dubbed soundtrack, featuring Signoret, Reggiani, and Claude Dauphin.

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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