The Terrible Children (1950)
The French film, The Terrible Children (1950), directed by Jean-Pierre Melville and adapted from Jean Cocteau’s novel of the same name, portrays the complex bond between a brother and sister. Elisabeth takes care of their bedridden mother and is fiercely protective of her younger brother Paul. When Paul gets hurt in a snowball fight and has to drop out of school, Elisabeth becomes even more shielding towards him. This causes them to spend most of their time at home with very little visitors besides the doctor and maid. One exception is Paul’s friend Gérard, who develops feelings for Elisabeth while staying over.
As the story progresses, Elisabeth becomes a model for a fashion designer and invites Agathe, a shy girl resembling Dargelos (the boy who caused Paul’s injury), to live in their mother’s room. Soon enough, Agathe and Paul are drawn to each other but it takes time for them to admit their attraction. After her marriage to wealthy American businessman Michael, Elisabeth inherits his fortune and mansion. Tragically, Michael passes away in a car accident shortly after their wedding. Elisabeth opens her home to her siblings, Paul and Agathe, as well as her uncle Gérard when he is visiting from out of the country.
Date of download: 2015-11-11T17:22:34+00:00
| Cast: |
Nicole Stéphane
Edouard Dermithe
Jean CocteauThe French film, The Terrible Children (1950), directed by Jean-Pierre Melville and adapted from Jean Cocteau’s novel of the same name, portrays the complex bond between a brother and sister. Elisabeth takes care of their bedridden mother and is fiercely protective of her younger brother Paul. When Paul gets hurt in a snowball fight and has to drop out of school, Elisabeth becomes even more shielding towards him. This causes them to spend most of their time at home with very little visitors besides the doctor and maid. One exception is Paul’s friend Gérard, who develops feelings for Elisabeth while staying over.
As the story progresses, Elisabeth becomes a model for a fashion designer and invites Agathe, a shy girl resembling Dargelos (the boy who caused Paul’s injury), to live in their mother’s room. Soon enough, Agathe and Paul are drawn to each other but it takes time for them to admit their attraction. After her marriage to wealthy American businessman Michael, Elisabeth inherits his fortune and mansion. Tragically, Michael passes away in a car accident shortly after their wedding. Elisabeth opens her home to her siblings, Paul and Agathe, as well as her uncle Gérard when he is visiting from out of the country.
