Thomas l'imposteur
Encyclopedia
Thomas the Impostor is a 1964 French film
directed by Georges Franju
and starring Emmanuelle Riva
, Fabrice Rouleau, Sophie Dares, Jean Marais
and Charles Aznavour
. It is based on a novel of the same name by Jean Cocteau
, which had first been published in French in 1923 and had been inspired by Cocteau's experiences in the first World War. An American edition of the novel, translated into English by Lewis Galentiere, was published in 1925 under the title Thomas the Impostor, and another English translation by Dorothy Williams was subsequently published in 1957 under the title The Impostor. The film was entered into the 15th Berlin International Film Festival
.
, as Paris
is expected to fall to the Germans
. The Princesse de Bormes, a widow, helps wounded soldiers by evacuating them from the front and bringing them to her villa in Paris for medical care. However, the authorities will not give the Princess and the soldiers passes to return to Paris. The situation changes when an innocent 16-year-old boy, Guillaume Thomas de Fontenoy, joins the authorities and is mistaken as the nephew of the popular General de Fontenoy. Thomas is able to use his position of posing as the general's nephew to cut through the red tape, in order to help the Princess. She is entranced by Thomas, and her daughter, Henriette, falls in love with him. However, Thomas feels impelled to see more war action. Later, he is caught behind enemy lines when he is moved with a military unit into the heat of battle.
Cinema of France
The Cinema of France comprises the art of film and creative movies made within the nation of France or by French filmmakers abroad.France is the birthplace of cinema and was responsible for many of its early significant contributions. Several important cinematic movements, including the Nouvelle...
directed by Georges Franju
Georges Franju
-External links:* at Allmovie...
and starring Emmanuelle Riva
Emmanuelle Riva
Emmanuelle Riva is a French actress.Riva started her acting career on the Paris stage after having worked as a seamstress...
, Fabrice Rouleau, Sophie Dares, Jean Marais
Jean Marais
-Biography:A native of Cherbourg, France, Marais starred in several movies directed by Jean Cocteau, for a time his lover, most famously Beauty and the Beast and Orphée ....
and Charles Aznavour
Charles Aznavour
Charles Aznavour, OC is an Armenian-French singer, songwriter, actor, public activist and diplomat. Besides being one of France's most popular and enduring singers, he is also one of the best-known singers in the world...
. It is based on a novel of the same name by Jean Cocteau
Jean Cocteau
Jean Maurice Eugène Clément Cocteau was a French poet, novelist, dramatist, designer, playwright, artist and filmmaker. His circle of associates, friends and lovers included Kenneth Anger, Pablo Picasso, Jean Hugo, Jean Marais, Henri Bernstein, Marlene Dietrich, Coco Chanel, Erik Satie, María...
, which had first been published in French in 1923 and had been inspired by Cocteau's experiences in the first World War. An American edition of the novel, translated into English by Lewis Galentiere, was published in 1925 under the title Thomas the Impostor, and another English translation by Dorothy Williams was subsequently published in 1957 under the title The Impostor. The film was entered into the 15th Berlin International Film Festival
15th Berlin International Film Festival
The 15th annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from June 25 to July 6, 1965.-Jury:* John Gillett * Alexander Kluge* Ely Azeredo* Monique Berger* Kyushiro Kusakabe* Jerry Bresler* Karena Niehoff* Hans Jürgen Pohland...
.
Plot
The film is set during World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, as Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
is expected to fall to the Germans
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. The Princesse de Bormes, a widow, helps wounded soldiers by evacuating them from the front and bringing them to her villa in Paris for medical care. However, the authorities will not give the Princess and the soldiers passes to return to Paris. The situation changes when an innocent 16-year-old boy, Guillaume Thomas de Fontenoy, joins the authorities and is mistaken as the nephew of the popular General de Fontenoy. Thomas is able to use his position of posing as the general's nephew to cut through the red tape, in order to help the Princess. She is entranced by Thomas, and her daughter, Henriette, falls in love with him. However, Thomas feels impelled to see more war action. Later, he is caught behind enemy lines when he is moved with a military unit into the heat of battle.
Cast
- Emmanuelle RivaEmmanuelle RivaEmmanuelle Riva is a French actress.Riva started her acting career on the Paris stage after having worked as a seamstress...
- Princesse de Bormes - Jean ServaisJean ServaisJean Servais was a Belgian actor trained at the Brussels Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, where he won the Second Prize....
- Pasquel-Duport - Fabrice Rouleau - Guillaume Thomas de Fontenoy
- Sophie Darès - Henriette
- Michel Vitold - Dr. Vernes
- Charles AznavourCharles AznavourCharles Aznavour, OC is an Armenian-French singer, songwriter, actor, public activist and diplomat. Besides being one of France's most popular and enduring singers, he is also one of the best-known singers in the world...
- Jean-Roger CaussimonJean-Roger CaussimonJean-Roger Caussimon was a French singer-songwriter and film actor. He appeared in 90 films between 1945 and 1985 but is better known for having worked with poet-singer Léo Ferré.- Discography :...
- Bishop - Edouard Dermithe - Captain Roy
- Hélène Dieudonné - Thomas' aunt
- Gabrielle DorziatGabrielle DorziatGabrielle Dorziat was a French stage and film actress. Dorziat was a fashion trend setter in Paris and helped popularize the designs of Coco Chanel. The Théâtre Gabrielle-Dorziat, a theater in Épernay, France is named for her.-Biography:...
- Cartomancienne - Bernard Lavalette - Dr. Gentil
- Jean Magis - Pagot
- Jean MaraisJean Marais-Biography:A native of Cherbourg, France, Marais starred in several movies directed by Jean Cocteau, for a time his lover, most famously Beauty and the Beast and Orphée ....
- Narrator (voice) - André Méliès - Elderly man at the ball
- Jean Ozenne
- Christian Scheyder - Young priest
- Edith ScobÉdith ScobEdith Scob is a French actress, best known for her role as the daughter with a disfigured face in Eyes Without a Face.Edith Scob has had several roles in European film and television and is married to Georges Aperghis....
- Nurse - Rosy VarteRosy VarteRosy Varte is a Turkish-born French actress of Armenian descent. She has appeared in 95 film and television shows since 1949...
- Mme. Valiche