Web of Passion

  • Madeleine Robinson: Thérèse Marcoux
  • Antonella Lualdi: Léda
  • Jean -Paul Belmondo: László Kovács
  • Jacques Dacqmine: Henri Marcoux
  • Jeanne Valérie: Elisabeth
  • Bernadette Lafont: Julie
  • André Jocelyn Richard Marcoux
  • Mario David, Roger
  • László Szabó: Vlado

Steps without trace ( Original title: À double tour) is a French-Italian film directed by Claude Chabrol in 1959 based on the novel The beautiful lady from next door ( The Key to Nicholas Street, 1952) by Stanley Ellin. Jean -Paul Belmondo became known through this film for the first time to a wider audience.

Action

Although they are married to each other and have a large estate, feel Henri Marcoux and his wife Thérèse only mutual hatred. My husband is cheating with the beautiful Léda with which he wants to burn out. Thérèse know of their children but not officially. Son Richard likes to listen to classical music, daughter Elizabeth has László as a friend, but the mother can not stand. A divorce is not an option for Thérèse.

Henri can no longer bear the situation. He decides to be with Léda show in town and the next day to go away with her, to provide for clarity. Back at Thérèse, a dispute arises. She offers him more freedom if he supports them, that László staying away from Elizabeth, but he does not agrees.

Shortly thereafter Léda is found murdered. The police soon arrests Roger, the lover of the housemaid Julie. But Julie is sure that he was not there, and the equally flashy László searches for the real culprits, because his drunken friend Vlado has seen this.

In an interview with László Richard expresses that they both knew that László it was not. Therefore, László Richard suspects and puts him under pressure until it becomes silent after a scuffle after the promise László, his family over the fact admits.

In a flashback, is described as it has happened to her: Richard has armed his parents heard in the next room and then passes to Léda, who lives in the neighborhood. He seems to be somewhat mentally confused and finally strangled. While his mother Thérèse is, however, his sister Elisabeth and László encourage him to reveal himself to the police. He asks his father for forgiveness that this is (still ) can not be granted to him and sets out to the police, which the film ends.

Reviews

In the lexicon of international film says the film criticism " against the background of a deceptive Sunday idyll in the south of France " construct of the director, " a precisely calculated game of power, family terror, Gefühlsheuchelei and bourgeois rituals. " Here, the " caustic critique of morality " hiding behind seemingly cool detachment. " Chabrol's drive - obsession gave the film a few scenes Erotomane of undoubted charm ," is the comment of the Mirror of 27 April 1960. " Like a German silent film drama of fate " would all figures " more or less disturbed " act.

Awards

International Film Festival of Venice 1959:

  • Coppa Volpi for Best Actress Madeleine Robinson
  • Nominated for a Golden Lion for best film
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