Hélène and Aldo Giovanni are a circus trapeze double act and a couple. Aldo is temporarily replaced by former-partner Alexandre when the former is injured. The two get into a fight and the following day Alexandre is discovered dead. Hélène suspects her husband is responsible for the murder.
Acting
Michèle Morgan's eyes do three acts of tragedy without blinking.
Cinematography
Trapeze sequences that actually look dangerous—no safety nets, no mercy.
Director
Jean Delannoy
Michèle Morgan
Hélène Giovanni
Raf Vallone
Aldo Giovanni
Marthe Mercadier
Arlette Bernardin
Jean Gaven
Alexandre Buisson
Albert Duvaleix
Barnet
Robert Dalban
Inspecteur Chardin
Louis Seigner
L'avocat général
Olivier Hussenot
Louis Bernardin
Jacques Castelot
Me Ritter
Jean Toulout
Le président des assises
Dora Doll
L'entraîneuse
Raphaël Patorni
Bertrand
Martine Alexis
Olga
Albert Michel
Le réptionniste de l'hôtel rouennais
Pierre Moncorbier
Le secrétaire de Chardin
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Michèle Morgan was France's biggest star; this was her return after Hollywood exile, lending meta-weight to Hélène's fragility.
Delannoy stages the circus as theater of surveillance—every act watched, every relationship performed for an audience that misses everything.
FR
