Assassins et voleurs (1957) - film review

The last thing that Albert Le Cagneux, a burglar, expects to find when he breaks into a seemingly deserted château is a man who politely asks for help in committing suicide.  That man, Philippe d’Artois, tells Albert why he is so eager to end his life.  Some years ago, whilst holidaying in Deauville, Philippe met a young woman named Madeleine, with whom he began a passionate love affair.  Unfortunately, she was married and when her husband discovered her infidelity, he strangled her.  In a moment of madness, Philippe shot the husband dead and put the gun into the hands of a burglar who just happened to be in the house at the time.  When he subsequently learned that the burglar took the blame for his crime and was imprisoned, Philippe was wracked with remorse and decided to take the place of the burglar.  Thus began his career of crime...

Sacha Guitry was on his deathbed when he wrote and directed Assassins et voleurs, his last film.  Guitry’s caustic wit and penchant for irony are very much in evidence and whilst the film is not one of his best, it is certainly one of his most entertaining.  The film owes much to the enjoyable pairing of Jean Poiret with Michel Serrault.  The two actors had worked together since the early 1950s, appearing together in many theatrical productions and films.  They made a very effective comedy double act, as this film amply demonstrates.

© James Travers 2008

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