France / May 08, 1969 / Cannes Film Festival
Overall average
5.0/10
Plot
On the 100th anniversary of the founding of a watchmaking company in Geneva, Charles Dé the founder's 50-year-old grandson has had it: he speaks eccentrically to a reporter, recognizing his grandfather as a craftsman and his son as a businessman, but is evasive about himself. He gives his family the slip and moves in with a young couple he meets by chance, doing the cooking, reading, drinking, and engaging in philosophical discussions with them. The young couple comes to love Charles. In secret, he stays in touch with a daughter, and the rest of the family hires a private investigator to find him, setting in motion a business take-over that threatens his Bohemian happiness.
Main cast
Full cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Jean-Pierre Moriaud | L'Avocat |
| Janine Christoffe | La Femme de Chambre |
| Michèle Martel | Germaine Dé, la Femme de Charles |
| Martine Simon | Cilette |
| Liliane Bovard | |
| Jean-Luc Bideau | Le Premier Ambulancier |
| Francis Reusser | Le Second Infirmier |
| Antoine Bordier | Le Réceptionniste de l'Hôtel |
| Pierre Verdan | Le Patron de Bistrot |
Genres
Technical details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Original title | Charles mort ou vif |
| Original language | Français (FR) |
| Spoken languages | Français |
| Production countries | Switzerland |
| Status | Released |
| Production companies | Groupe 5, SRG SSR |
| Release date | 15 gennaio 1970 |
| Production | Alain Tanner |
| Writer | Alain Tanner |
| Editing | Sylvia Bachmann, Gabriella Zen |
| Cinematography | Renato Berta, Claude Stebler |
| Assistant directors | Éric Noguet, Florian Rochat, Alain Tanner, Marlène Walthert |
| Camera operators | Claude Stebler, Renato Berta |
| Additional photography | Claude Stebler, Renato Berta |
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| Music | Jacques Olivier, Luc Yersin, Paul Girard |
| Sound | Luc Yersin, Jacques Olivier, Paul Girard |
Release dates
Premiere
Switzerland / Oct 02, 1969 / 12 / Locarno Film Festival
Theatrical release
France / Jan 15, 1970
Switzerland / Jan 29, 1970 / French Speaking Region
United States / Aug 19, 1972 / New York City, New York
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