The Fire Within
| The Fire Within | |
|---|---|
 DVD Cover | |
| Directed by | Louis Malle |
| Screenplay by | Louis Malle |
| Based on | Will O' the Wisp by Pierre Drieu La Rochelle |
| Starring |
Maurice Ronet Jeanne Moreau Alexandra Stewart |
| Music by | Erik Satie |
| Cinematography | Ghislain Cloquet |
| Edited by | Suzanne Baron |
| Distributed by |
Gibraltar Productions Governor Films Inc. |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 108 minutes |
| Country |
Italy France |
| Language | French |
The Fire Within (French: Le feu follet [lə fø fɔlɛ], meaning "The Manic Fire" or "Will-o'-the-Wisp") is a 1963 French drama film directed by Louis Malle. It is based on the novel Will O' the Wisp by Pierre Drieu La Rochelle which itself was inspired by the life of Jacques Rigaut. The film stars Maurice Ronet, Jeanne Moreau—who had previously worked with Ronet and Malle in Elevator to the Gallows—as well as Alexandra Stewart, Bernard Noel, Lena Skerla, Hubert Deschamps and Yvonne Clech. The score features the music of Erik Satie.
Plot
Alain Leroy, a recovering alcoholic at a rehabilitation clinic in Versailles suffers with a depression. He intends to commit suicide, but first decides to visit his friends in Paris one final time, trying to find a reason to live.
Cast
- Maurice Ronet as Alain Leroy
- Léna Skerla as Lydia
- Yvonne Clech as Mademoiselle Farnoux
- Hubert Deschamps as D'Averseau
- Jean-Paul Moulinot as Dr. La Barbinais
- Mona Dol as Madame La Barbinais
- Pierre Moncorbier as Moraine
- René Dupuy as Charlie (as René Dupuis)
- Bernard Tiphaine as Milou
- Bernard Noël as Dubourg
- Ursula Kubler as Fanny
- Jeanne Moreau as Eva
- Alexandra Stewart as Solange
Reception
The film was selected as the French entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 36th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.[1] In his 2006 Movie Guide, Leonard Maltin gives the film 3.5 stars (out of four) and calls it "probably Malle's best early film."[2] Roger Ebert wrote that the film was a "triumph of style." [3]
See also
- List of submissions to the 36th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film
- List of French submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
References
- ↑ Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
- ↑ Leonard Maltin's 2006 Movie Guide, New York: Signet.
- ↑ Ebert, Chaz. (1969-10-16) The Fire Within Movie Review & Film Summary (1964) | Roger Ebert. Rogerebert.suntimes.com. Retrieved on 2014-05-22.
External links
- The Fire Within at the Internet Movie Database
- The Fire Within at Rotten Tomatoes
- The Fire Within at AllMovie
- The Fire Within, review at filmsdefrance.com
| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Vivre sa vie |
Special Jury Prize, Venice 1963 tied with Vstuplijenije |
Succeeded by The Gospel According to St. Matthew tied with Hamlet |
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