Douce (1943)

Review: Douce (1943)

Director: Claude Autant-Lara

Cast: Odette Joyeux, Madeleine Robinson, Jean Debucourt, Roger Pigaut, Marguerite Robinson,

Odette Joyeux
Odette Joyeux
Madeleine Robinson
Madeleine Robinson
Jean Debucourt
Jean Debucourt
Roger Pigaut
Roger Pigaut
Marguerite Robinson
Marguerite Robinson

Plot: In Paris in 1887, Irène works as a governess to Douce, the grand-daughter of the dowager Countess de Bonafé. Douce believes she is in love with Fabien, the handsome manager of the estate. However she cannot hope to marry him because of their class difference. Douce's widowed father, the Count de Bonafé, has a wooden leg, and is infatuated with Irène. Douce discovers that Fabien is planning to flee to Quebec with Irène, and also finds out that the Count has asked Irène to marry him. So Douce tells Fabien this and convinces him to run away with her, causing consternation in the family.

Read More

Claude Autant-Lara’s wartime romances: Eclipse #45

Claude Autant-Lara’s wartime romances: Eclipse #45

Criterion have followed their fine Eclipse set of Julien Duvivier films with a collection of features by another French director pushed into obscurity by the New Wave: Claude Autant-Lara, represented here by four films made during the German […]

Read More