Un grand patron (1951)
Directed by Yves Ciampi

Film Review

Having trained and practised as a medical man, Yves Ciampi began his filmmaking career with an avant-garde short entitled Mort interdite in 1941.  After the war, he worked as an assistant to Jean Dréville and André Hunebelle, before making his feature debut with Suzanne et ses brigands (1949).  Since Ciampi's first career was a doctor, it is not surprising that three of his films deal with medical problems.  L'Esclave (1953) and Le Guérisseur (1953) are concerned respectively with drugs and illegal medicine.  Un grand patron offers not only a portrait of a famous surgeon but also an acerbic critique of the medical world and the French bourgeoisie after WWII.

Not a film that is often remarked upon, Un grand patron is nonetheless an interesting piece of social commentary that exposes both the virtues and defects of a noble profession in the 1950s.  On repeated viewings, the film is deeper and more complex than is first apparent, thanks to an incisive screenplay by Ciampi and Pierre Véry (who also scripted Les Disparus de Saint-Agil (1938) and L'Assassinat du Père Noël (1941)).  The score is supplied by the French-Hungarian composer Joseph Kosma who, between 1937 and 1970, composed music for around a hundred French films.   Ciampi's mise-en-scène may appear a little flat in places but the director brings to his art something of the precision and control he doubtless employed as a doctor.

In his 39th film, the monumental actor Pierre Fresnay gives a remarkable performance as a parvenu and authoritarian medical man who blindly dedicates his life to his one true love, his work.  Renée Devillers, a member of the Comédie française from 1961 to 1966, is sublime as Fresnay's devoted wife.  At the start of his career, Jean-Claude Pascal is just as impressive as Fresnay's seductive but ambitious assistant.  A promising newcomer named Maurice Ronet is to be found amidst a distinguished supporting cast that includes Pilippe Mareuil, Claire Huhamel, Pierre Destailles, Claude Nicot, Nadine Alari and Judith Magre.  Un grand patron attracted an audience of 3.7 million and was one of the most popular French films of 1951.  The third film in Ciampi's short but interesting filmography, it surpasses anything he made subsequently, with the possible exception of his exotic film noir Les Héros sont fatigués (1955) which featured a young and swarthy Yves Montand.

Film Synopsis

Louis Delage is one of the greatest surgeons of his time and nothing matters more to him than his career.  He has a strained relationship with Dr Tannard, his cousin, who is jealous of his success.  His godson Jacques is training to be a surgeon, but is having second thoughts.  Shortly after having broken up with his girlfriend, Jacques has a car accident in which he injures another man.  With Jacques on the brink of giving up his studies, Dr Delage decides the time has come for him to act...