Before the Deluge

André Cayatte
1954-02-26


6.3
138 min

The title of this French "reality" drama, which translates to Before the Deluge, is a play on Louis XVI's famous prognostication, "Apres moi, le deluge." Set in 1950, the film concentrates on five Parisian adolescents. Certain that the next war will herald the apocalypse, the youngster make plans to run off to a desert island and set up a new society. This, however, will require money, which is why the boys decide to pull off a "necessary" robbery. Idealism collapses in the face of cold reality, as the five youths suffer from the consequences of their actions. Avant le Deluge was one of a group of films cowritten by director Andre Cayatte and Charles Spaak which endeavored to explore the touchy social issues of the day: others in the Cayatte-Spaak canon include the euthanasia-themed Justice est Faite and the capital-punishment tract Nous sommes tous des assassins.

Cast

Name Character Team
Antoine Balpêtré Albert Dutoit Unowned
Paul Bisciglia Jean-Jacques Noblet Unowned
Bernard Blier Marcel Noblet Unowned
Marina Vlady Liliane Noblet Unowned
Jacques Chabassol Jean Arnaud Unowned
Clément Thierry Philippe Boussard Unowned
Jacques Fayet Richard Dutoit Unowned
Roger Coggio Daniel Epstein Unowned
Jacques Castelot Serge de Montesson Unowned
Léonce Corne Le commissaire Auvain Unowned
Paul Frankeur Monsieur Boussard Unowned
Isa Miranda Françoise Boussard Unowned
Carlo Ninchi Le président du tribunal Unowned
Delia Scala Josette Unowned
Line Noro Madame Arnaud Unowned
Albert Rémy Le garçon de café Unowned
André Valmy L'autre inspecteur de police Unowned
Julien Verdier Le veilleur de nuit Unowned
Maria Zanoli Madame Dutoit Unowned
Marcel Pérès l'inspecteur Malingué Unowned
Jean-Pierre Grenier (Voice dubbing for Carlo Ninchi) Unowned