Retour à la vie (1949)
Directed by André Cayatte, Henri-Georges Clouzot

Drama
aka: Return to Life

Film Synopsis

In May 1945, two million French prisoners-of-war and political deportees are liberated by the allies.  This is the story of five of them after they arrived back home.

1. Emma is dying and thinks that her family will take care of her, but all they are interested in is their inheritance.
2. Antoine finds work as a barman in a hotel which has been requisitioned by the American army to provide accommodation for the Women's Army Corps.
3. Jean, injured in the war, provides shelter for a wanted German criminal so that he can question him and begin to understand his motives.
4. René discovers that his beloved wife did not wait for him to return and instead left him for another man.
5. Louis introduces his family and friends to the German woman he loves.
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Film Credits

  • Director: André Cayatte, Henri-Georges Clouzot, Jean Dréville, Georges Lampin
  • Script: Charles Spaak
  • Cinematographer: Nicolas Hayer, Louis Page
  • Music: Paul Misraki
  • Cast: Paul Azaïs (Le capitaine - 4 : Le retour de René), Madeleine Barbulée (5 : Le retour de Louis), André Bervil (Barman - 4: Le retour de René), Georges Bever (Le père de famille - 3 : Le retour de Jean), Bernard Blier (Gaston - 1 : Le retour de tante Emma), Florence Brière (Une comère - 5 : Le retour de Louis), Jean Brochard (L'hôtelier - 3 : Le retour de Jean), Anne Campion (Elsa), André Carnège (Le colonel - 4 : Le retour de René), Tanis Chandler (Capitaine Betty - 2 : Le retour d'Antoine), Léonce Corne (Virolet - 5 : Le retour de Louis), Suzanne Courtal (La concierge - 4 : Le retour de René), Jean Croué (L'oncle Hector - 4: Le retour de René), Janine Darcey (Mary - 2 : Le retour d'Antoine), André Darnay (L'instituteur - 5 : Le retour de Louis), Jo Dest (L'Allemand - 3 : Le retour de Jean), Cécile Didier (Mme Froment - 5 : Le retour de Louis), Monette Dinay (Juliette - 3 : Le retour de Jean), Cécile Dylma (La serveuse - 3 : Le retour de Jean), Max Elloy (Le vieux barman - 2 : Le retour d'Antoine)
  • Country: France
  • Language: French
  • Support: Black and White
  • Runtime: 120 min
  • Aka: Return to Life

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