Before the Deluge (1954)
The title of this French "reality" drama, which translates to Before the Deluge, is a play on Louis XVI's famous prognostication, "Apres moi, le deluge." Set in 1950, the film concentrates on five Parisian adolescents. Certain that the next war will herald the apocalypse, the youngster make plans to run off to a desert island and set up a new society. This, however, will require money, which is why the boys decide to pull off a "necessary" robbery. Idealism collapses in the face of cold reality, as the five youths suffer from the consequences of their actions. Avant le Deluge was one of a group of films cowritten by director Andre Cayatte and Charles Spaak which endeavored to explore the touchy social issues of the day: others in the Cayatte-Spaak canon include the euthanasia-themed Justice est Faite and the capital-punishment tract Nous sommes tous des assassins.
Cast
- Antoine Balpêtré - Albert Dutoit
- Paul Bisciglia - Jean-Jacques Noblet
- Bernard Blier - Marcel Noblet
- Marina Vlady - Liliane Noblet
- Jacques Chabassol - Jean Arnaud
- Clément Thierry - Philippe Boussard
- Jacques Fayet - Richard Dutoit
- Roger Coggio - Daniel Epstein
- Jacques Castelot - Serge de Montesson
- Léonce Corne - Le commissaire Auvain
Screenplay
- Charles Spaak (Screenplay)
- André Cayatte (Screenplay)
- Charles Spaak (Dialogue)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Before the Deluge about?
- The title of this French "reality" drama, which translates to Before the Deluge, is a play on Louis XVI's famous prognostication, "Apres moi, le deluge." Set in 1950, the film concentrates on five Parisian adolescents. Certain that the next war will herald the apocalypse, the youngster make plans to run off to a desert island and set up a new society. This, however, will require money, which is why the boys decide to pull off a "necessary" robbery. Idealism collapses in the face of cold reality, as the five youths suffer from the consequences of their actions. Avant le Deluge was one of a group of films cowritten by director Andre Cayatte and Charles Spaak which endeavored to explore the touchy social issues of the day: others in the Cayatte-Spaak canon include the euthanasia-themed Justice est Faite and the capital-punishment tract Nous sommes tous des assassins.
- Who directed Before the Deluge?
- Before the Deluge was directed by André Cayatte.
- Who stars in Before the Deluge?
- Before the Deluge stars Antoine Balpêtré, Paul Bisciglia, Bernard Blier, Marina Vlady, Jacques Chabassol, Clément Thierry.
- How long is Before the Deluge?
- Before the Deluge has a runtime of 2h 18m (138 minutes).
- What genre is Before the Deluge?
- Before the Deluge is a Drama film.
- Where was Before the Deluge produced?
- Before the Deluge was produced in France, Italy.