Titreenp SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?

Stoutor It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

Grimossfer Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

SeeQuant Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

lasttimeisaw Jacques Becker's belle époque tragedy of a pair of star-crossed lovers, Marie (Signoret) and Georges (Reggiani), she is a mistress of Roland (Sabatier), who is the underling of the local Apache gang, mastered by Félix Leca (Dauphin), and he is an unassuming carpenter, their encounter is occasioned by their common friend Raymond (Bussières), another member of the the Leca gang, through DP Lefebvre's lithely swirling choreography, their destiny is sealed through a wordless dance, while jealousy is simmering with impending menace.Strikingly, words are inessential in Becker's narrative, emotion runs the gamut without the help of verbose dialogue, one expression or gesture is simply enough to deliver the unspoken intention and determination, to hit the bull's eye of being compelling, heartfelt, even agonising in the climax, which marks a great achievement and testimony of how cinema can be a first-rate storyteller, trimming down the redundant bells-and-whistles, just sticking to those what makes our characters tick: the encounter, the duel, the elope, the scheme, the revenge and the guillotine.Simone Signoret, shoulders on the triple identities as a poised courtesan, a romantic inamorata and a reluctant moll, leaves her most iconic screen persona in her prime, under Becker's aegis, the camera unsparingly aims at her in stunning close-ups enveloped with divine halo (thanks to the heightened lighting). Marie is a dauntless pursuer, she lives for passion, for love, living in the present, a force-of-life so irresistible and indefatigable. Interestingly, Reggiani's Georges is not the traditional hero type, his average look and lean physique, should have triggered far more maternal nature of protection from her than a fervent passion act, yet, Georges has the spine to be a martyr out of genuine devotion to friendship and moral integrity, which eventually will wholeheartedly win a woman's heart.Dauphin's smirky presence as Félix Leca persuasively draws on the sophistication of being a Mafia ringleader, the murky dynamism of his reign over the henchmen gives as much as pleasure as the central romance. To a large extent, CASQUE D'OR (golden hat in literal translation, which refers to Marie's representative coiffure) is seminally inspiring and majestically executed at its time, an unforgettable Parisian tale-of-woe but shines with its glittery black-and-white enticement, as the introductory piece of Becker's oeuvre, it bode well than my expectation, bravo!

christopher-underwood This is a dream of a movie. Not full of action, yet packed with memorable moments and whole sequences. The stunning opening with the rowing boats on the river and the singing accompaniment, the slow build up and rapid denouement of the execution at the end and so much more in between. I was surprised upon opening my DVD to see the film originated in 1952 because I had imagined I had seen it upon it's London film release. The, thanks to another IMDb reviewer, I discover that the film was quickly pulled upon initial release and not released again until nine years later when it is perfectly feasible that I saw it in the West End. Simone Signoret! What can one say? Even to a youngster today, used to seeing 'stars' come and go so easily, would surely appreciate the subtle allure that seemed to come so naturally to this beautiful woman, who invigorated so many excellent films.

Cristi_Ciopron Casque d'or (1952) is a movie of infinite cinematographic science, skill, knowledge; not the average fine French '50s melodrama—but an impressive work of art, a delectable achievement. It offers a lot—as balance and charm. Its simplicity resides in the fullness of a great creation, of great poetry. Its value and poignancy lies, or resides rather in the execution, in the carefulness and skill of the montage, in the very advantageous craft.And this ,without being even for one moment decadent or …;the movie has the fullness of a true work of art. Notable are the balance, the tactfulness, the exquisite tone, the strength within the note of poetry. The core of poetry and creation is glowing in a story narrated with elegance and tact. Adequately filmed, it is also delightful on the other levels—as script, as acting ….It is a very simple story of passion and betrayal and lust ,with common people and thugs as characters. I believe that the film was recognized from the beginning, in the '50s, as a The minimalistic style answers the needs of the taste; yet it's never ostentatious and unnatural, but necessary and adequate; adequacy, the formula for the successful approaches.It is as well made,less lyrical and far more coherent and striking than Port of Shadows .Its inherent limitations are obvious also,given with the subject and the approach,the orientation of the film.Yet on the other hand,this lightness beyond the words,the exquisite execution, the fluid style give Casque d'or (1952) the unmistakable charm and the complete propriety, adequacy of tone.It does not explore,like The Grand Illusion or Jeux Interdits,a wide spiritual universe,or highly differentiated inner realms;yet it treats with lightness and inspired tact a humble subject.This tact itself is marvelous,because it is the most adequate and useful.Henri-Georges Clouzot's Diabolique was a thing of a thrilling and frightful moral depth;Casque d'or (1952) finds and develops,in a manly and straightforward style,the immense poetry of an unpretentious ,even sordid subject.It does so with due limpidity and insight.Its virtues are as subtle as they are simultaneously obvious and unobtrusive.This mastery defines a style--an author's achievement.Its director was,like Charles M. Schulz and others in the popular culture, the expression and exponent of a civilization.As for the Mrs. Signoret, it is maybe enough to state here that I consider her to be the second best French movie artist. She was outstanding. In a certain sense, the fact that she obviously wasn't a beauty only made more evident her acting gifts.

jotix100 Jacques Becker's "Casque d'or" is a fine example of the best in the French cinema. At times, this splendid 1954 film, keeps reminding us about paintings of the impressionist school, especially Renoir, because it takes us back to that era. In fact, the beginning of the film almost gives the impression we are witnessing characters that inspired the painters of that art movement."Casque d'or" is enhanced by the magnificent black and white photography of Robert Lefevbre who has a poetic way to get the best of what M. Becker intended him to do. The atmospheric music of Georges Van Parys takes the viewer back to those places one has seen in different paintings of that era.The lovely young woman at the center of the picture, Marie, gets taken with Manda the moment he enters the country restaurant where she is seen with some of the petty criminals she is friendly with. One realizes this is a passion that is not meant to be from the start. Marie belongs to one of the Felix Leca's gang. When Roland senses his girl has an eye for another man, he wants to take get rid of him.Georges Manda has also been to jail, but now is a carpenter and trying to go straight. Fate is not kind to Manda, who, when provoked, reveals he is not to be made a fool. Leca, who is also quite smitten by Marie's beauty plans to get rid of Manda so he can have the blonde woman all to himself. Leca, who knows his way around the law, and is friendly with the police, will prove to be Manda's undoing.What Jacques Becker achieved with this film was to create the right atmosphere to set his story. Working in France he had the access to the great movie locations one sees in the movie. The film evokes that period convincingly. The director adds touches, that even when watched today, are a delight to watch.M. Becker got good performances out of his cast. Simone Signoret at that point of her life was at her prime. Her Marie is a fine example of what she was able to project without much effort. Her beauty is evident and she plays Marie with elegance. Serge Reggiani plays Manda with conviction. M. Reggiani covered quite a lot of ground in the French cinema. Aside from his good looks, he was an accomplished actor and singer. His contribution to our enjoyment of the film made "Casque d'or" to be a classic it became. Claude Dauphin is Felix Leca, the unscrupulous man in love with Marie who will stoop so low in order to get the woman that he wouldn't have otherwise. M. Dauphin conveys the evil in Felix Leca with an economy that works well in his portrayal of this sophisticated monster.Finally, this is Jacques Becker's triumph. "Casque d'or" is one of the best films of all times.