The Truth


2h 7m 1961

Brief Synopsis

Dominique Marceau is on trial for the murder of Gilbert Tellier. The counsels duel relentlessly, elaborating explanations for why the pretty, idle and fickle girl killed the talented and ambitious conductor freshly graduated from the conservatory. Was it passion, vengeance, desperation, an accident? The acquaintances of Gilbert testify, as well as Dominique's former lovers, and her sister, Annie, the studious violin player engaged to Gilbert. The evidence they give progressively paints a more finely-shaded picture of the personalities of Dominique and Gilbert, and of their relationship, than the eloquent and convincing justifications of the counsels.

Film Details

Also Known As
La verità, La vérité
Genre
Drama
Release Date
Jan 1961
Premiere Information
New York opening: 26 Jun 1961
Production Company
C. E. I. A. P.; Han Productions; Iéna Production
Distribution Company
Kingsley International Pictures
Country
France

Technical Specs

Duration
2h 7m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White

Synopsis

Dominique Marceau is a young Frenchwoman on trial for the slaying of her lover. The prosecuting attorney, Eparvier, claims it was an act of premeditated murder that warrants the death penalty. The defense attorney, Guérin, maintains that it was an act of passion and not punishable by death. As the trial progresses and the various testimonies of the witnesses are heard, the tragic story unfolds. For almost a year, Dominique has been living a wanton, bohemian life on the Paris Left Bank. One day she seduces Gilbert, a serious music student and the boyfriend of her sister Annie. Though he falls passionately in love with Dominique, she continues to have fleeting affairs with other men. Eventually her behavior so angers the jealous Gilbert that their affair ends in a violent quarrel. As the months pass, Dominique is reduced to prostitution while Gilbert becomes a well-known symphony conductor. When Dominique learns that Gilbert and Annie are officially engaged, she realizes that despite the quarrels, he was the only man she ever really loved. She rushes to his apartment and spends the night with him. In the morning, however, he throws her out and calls her a slut. Determined to prove her love, Dominique decides to commit suicide in his presence; but when he brutally insults her, she fires six bullets into his body. She then attempts suicide but is found and rescued by the police. When all the testimony has been submitted, Dominique realizes that because of her sordid life the jury is unconvinced that her love for Gilbert was real. As her fate is being pondered, she returns to her prison cell and slashes her wrists with a piece of broken mirror.

Film Details

Also Known As
La verità, La vérité
Genre
Drama
Release Date
Jan 1961
Premiere Information
New York opening: 26 Jun 1961
Production Company
C. E. I. A. P.; Han Productions; Iéna Production
Distribution Company
Kingsley International Pictures
Country
France

Technical Specs

Duration
2h 7m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White

Award Nominations

Best Foreign Language Film

1961

Quotes

You spent weeks seducing him, didn't you? Weeks!
- The Prosecuting Attorney
Objection! What length of time should she have spent? Is there any legal limit on how long a seduction ought to take?
- Dominique's Attorney

Trivia

Notes

Opened in Paris in November 1960 as La vérité; running time: 124 min; in Rome in January 1961 as La verità; running time: 110 min. U. S. version includes a 3-min prolog which explains the differences between French and American court procedure. Iéna Production (Raoul Levy) is credited in some sources in place of Han Productions.

Miscellaneous Notes

1960 Academy Award Nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.

1960 Golden Globe Award Co-winner for Best Foreign Language Film.