A father confesses to murder so his psychic son can eat. 1953 French melodrama hits different.
Noël Rambert is overwhelmed by fate. Marthe, his wife, has left him. His son, little Jacques, sickly and touching, has psychic gifts. Life is not a happy one. A crime is committed. Poor Rambert is unjustly suspected. A good-looking man convinces him to confess his guilt. In doing so, he secures his child's future. Resigned to everything, the sad Rambert is ready for the scaffold. The little medium brings the truth to light and Mme Mortal denounces her husband, Daniel Mortal, the man behind the despicable bargain, as the murderer. Happiness returns with a bang, as the repentant Marthe Rambert continues to watch over little Jacques during the ordeal.
Acting
Jean-Pierre Kérien's crushed-dad energy is devastating.
Production
Gothic shadows make poverty look practically theatrical.
Director
Robert Bibal
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Director Robert Bibal made exactly two films; this was his second and final.
The 'psychic child' trope peaked in 1950s European cinema as post-war audiences craved supernatural intervention in unjust systems.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
FR
