Monsieur Vincent

Director: Maurice Cloche Maurice Cloche

Overview

Pierre Fresnay stars as St. Vincent De Paul in this reverent but realistic French biopic. The film traces "Monsieur Vincent's" progress from his days of forced servitude in Algiers to his entry into the priesthood, culminating with his Herculean efforts on behalf of the ill and destitute in early 17th-century France. Featured in the huge cast are Aime Clairimond as Cardinal de Richelieu and Germaine Dermoz as Queen Anne of Austria. Made under the most trying of conditions over a two-year period, Monsieur Vincent remains the chef d'ouevre of director Maurice Cloche. The film won France's Grand Prix award in 1947, and the following year was honored with Hollywood's "best foreign picture" Oscar.

Product Details

Release Date:	07/15/2008
UPC:	0012236240877
Original Release:	1947
Rating:	NR
Source:	LIONSGATE - 600000-AEC LGE
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[B&W]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	1:54:00
Sales rank:	31,578

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Pierre Fresnay	Vincent de Paul
Aime Clariond	Le cardinal de Richelieu
Jean Debucourt	Philippe-Emmanuel de Gondi, comte de Joigny
Lise Delamare	Countess de Gondi
Germaine Dermoz	Queen Anne of Austria
Gabrielle Dorziat	Mme. Groussault
Yvonne Godeau	Louise de Marillac
Jean Carmet	Abbe Portall
Pierre Dux	Chancellor Seguler
Georges Vitray	Mons. de Rougemont
Marcel Vallee	Hospital Supervisor
Michel Bouquet	Consumptive
Yvonne Gaudeau	Louise de Marillac
Jean-Jacques Grünenwald	Composer

Technical Credits

Maurice Cloche

Jean Anouilh

Jean Bernard-Luc

Maurice Cloche	Director,Screenwriter
Viscount George de la Grandiere	Producer
Jean Anouilh	Screenwriter
Jean Bernard-Luc	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

One of the finest biopics of a religious figure, Monsieur Vincent is a moving paean to its titular character that avoids the trap of painting its subject as a saint rather than a man. It's one of the film's greatest achievements that it acknowledges Vincent DePaul's ambivalent feelings about the poor -- that they are "unjust and foul-mouthed," yet this just means that one must work harder to love them more. Director Maurice Cloche effectively captures the stark reality of 17th century life, using it as a frame to demonstrate how impressive DePaul's achievements were. He also makes Monsieur Vincent an epic, a film that is much larger than life but that does not fall prey to ponderousness or excess. Claude Renoir's gorgeous, evocative cinematography is an enormous asset, setting mood and atmosphere and imbuing even great sweeps with an underlying feeling of intimacy. Cloche is also blessed by his DePaul, the remarkable Pierre Fresnay, whose moving performance is the tent pole upon which the film hangs. Stirring and extremely affecting, Monsieur Vincent is a glorious cinematic experience.