A goalkeeper's ego scores an own goal on his marriage—then WWII benches him for good.
A soccer enthusiast like his father, Martin Lambert is the (gifted) goalkeeper of the local team. He falls in love with Jeanette and soon marries her. Alongside a happy marital life, Martin becomes a successful professional. Which proves a mixed blessing since fame makes him vain and haughty and his marriage gets seriously affected. But the Second World War breaks out and Martin is drafted. Taken prisoner a few months later, he is sent to a camp. When he is released, he tries resume his career but his wounds hurt too much and he has to give in. But not soccer: he will now proudly train young shoots.
Acting
Marc Cassot's physical decline after the camp is devastatingly real.
Direction
Lucot captures post-war France's exhausted hope without sentimentality.
Director
René Lucot
Claire Mafféi
Jeannette Thévenin
Marc Cassot
Martin Lambert, a professional footballer
Alexandre Rignault
Léon Thévenin
René Génin
Doctor Schaefer
Georges Chamarat
Etienne Lambert
Germaine Delbat
Mrs Lambert
Jean Daurand
Charles Lambert
Paulette Frantz
Germaine
Yves Robert
Guillot
Olivier Hussenot
Félix
Émile Genevois
Carrel
Henri Valbel
The captain
Henri Charrett
Gustave
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
1949 French cinema was obsessed with male protagonists shattered by war—this fits the 'retour de captivité' subgenre perfectly.
René Lucot was primarily a documentary filmmaker; this rare fiction feature shows that vérité eye in the training scenes.
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