''Marie-Octobre'' is a 1959 French

drama Drama is the specific Mode (literature), mode of fiction Mimesis, represented in performance: a Play (theatre), play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on Radio drama, radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a g ...

mystery film A mystery film is a film that revolves around the solution of a problem or a crime. It focuses on the efforts of the detective, private investigator or amateur Detective, sleuth to solve the mysterious circumstances of an issue by means of clues, ...

directed by

Julien Duvivier Julien Duvivier (; 8 October 1896 – 29 October 1967) was a French film director and screenwriter. He was prominent in French cinema in the years 1930–1960. Amongst his most original films, chiefly notable are ''La Bandera (film), La Bandera'', ...

and starring

Danielle Darrieux Danielle Yvonne Marie Antoinette Darrieux (; 1 May 1917 – 17 October 2017) was a French actress of stage, television and film, as well as a singer and dancer. Beginning in 1931, she appeared in more than 110 films. She was one of France's g ...

Bernard Blier Bernard Blier (; 11 January 1916 – 29 March 1989) was a French character actor. Life and career Blier was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where his father, a researcher at the Pasteur Institute, was posted at the time. His rotund featu ...

and Robert Dalban. It is based on the eponymous novel by Jacques Robert. The entire action takes place in real time over 99 minutes. It was shot at the Boulogne Studios in

Paris Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of France. With an estimated population of 2,048,472 residents in January 2025 in an area of more than , Paris is the List of ci ...

. The film's sets were designed by the

art director Art director is a title for a variety of similar job functions in theater, advertising, marketing, publishing, fashion, live-action and animated film and television, the Internet, and video games. It is the charge of a sole art director to supe ...

Georges Wakhévitch. It is also known by the alternative title ''Secret Meeting'' The film was remade in 2008 by director Josée Dayan, starring

Nathalie Baye Nathalie Marie Andrée Baye (; born 6 July 1948) is a French film, television, and stage actress. She began her career in 1970 and has appeared in more than 80 films. A ten-time César Award nominee, her four wins were for ''Every Man for Himsel ...

Plot

A group of ex-resistance fighters are brought together by Marie-Octobre, the code name of Marie-Helene Dumoulin (

). The former members of the network have carried on with their lives after the war, but this evening they are going to have to live again a fateful night – the night their leader was killed. He had been betrayed, his name given to the Germans. The search for the traitor puts each personality in the spotlight – and also that of the killed leader, Castille.

Cast

as Marie-Helene Dumoulin *

as Julien Simoneau, a lawyer * Robert Dalban as Leon Blanchet, a locksmith *

Paul Frankeur Paul Frankeur (29 June 1905 – 27 October 1974) was a French actor who had a successful Hollywood career and appeared in films by Jacques Tati'','' such as ''Jour de fête'' and Luis Buñuel, including ''The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie'' ...

as Lucien Marinval, a sales agent in Les Halles * Daniel Ivernel as Robert Thibaud, a doctor * Paul Meurisse as Francois Renaud-Picart, an industrialist * Serge Reggiani as Antoine Rougier, a printer *

Jeanne Fusier-Gir Jeanne Fusier-Gir (1885–1973) was a French stage and film actress. She was married to the painter Charles Gir, and was the mother of the film director François Gir.Rège p. 442 Selected filmography * '' The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard'' (1 ...

as Victorine, governess * Paul Guers as Père Yves Le Guen, a priest * Noel Roquevert as Etienne Vandamme, a tax inspector *

Lino Ventura Angiolino Giuseppe Pasquale Ventura (14 July 1919 – 22 October 1987), known as Lino Ventura, was an Italian-born actor and philanthropist, who lived and worked for most of his life in France. He was considered one of the greatest leading men ...

as Carlo Bernardi, a night club owner

Around the film

* On a very similar plot line, British filmmaker Michael McCarthy directed in 1957 '' The Traitor'', also shown in the US with the title ''The Accursed'', starring

Donald Wolfit Sir Donald Wolfit (born Donald Woolfitt; 20 April 1902 – 17 February 1968) was an English actor-manager, known for his touring productions of Shakespeare. He was especially renowned for his portrayal of King Lear. Born to a conventional midd ...

Anton Diffring Anton Diffring (born Alfred Pollack; 20 October 1916 – 19 May 1989) was a German actor. He had an extensive film and television career in the United Kingdom from the 1940s to the 1980s, latterly appearing in international films. Primarily a c ...

and Christopher Lee.

References

Bibliography

* Grant, John. ''A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Film Noir: The Essential Reference Guide''. Rowman & Littlefield, 2023.

External links

* 1959 films French mystery drama films Films directed by Julien Duvivier Films about the French Resistance 1950s French-language films 1950s French films Films scored by Jean Yatove Pathé films Films shot at Boulogne Studios Films based on French novels Films with screenplays by Henri Jeanson Films based on works by Jacques Robert (writer) {{1950s-France-film-stub