The Crime of Monsieur Lange

Trailer

Play Dates

May 12 – 13 Seattle, WA THE BEACON CINEMA

Illustration by Keiko Kimura

Featured Quote

“PERHAPS THE MOST DELIGHTFUL OF RENOIR’S FILMS…
With its splendid 4K restoration, Monsieur Lange looks brand-new. Given its emphasis on the predatory behavior of powerful men and the precariousness of the journalistic profession, it is as topical as any movie made this year, and a good deal funnier than most."
— J. Hoberman, The New York Times

About

France, 1936
Director: Jean Renoir
Producer: André Halley des Fontaines
Cast: René Lefèvre, Florelle, Jules Berry
Screenwriter: Jacques Prévert
Story: Jean Renoir and Jean Castanier
Cinematography: Jean Bachelet
Music: Jean Wiener
Genre: Drama
Black & White
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Language: French with English subtitles
Running Time: 83 minutes

Synopsis:
After Amedée Lange’s (René Lefèvre) maliciously charming boss Batala (Jules Berry) is presumed dead following his flight from debt collectors, Lange, with the assistance of his lover Valentine (Florelle), helps organize a community of workers into a cooperative publishing house for his hit Western serial “Arizona Jim.”

Awards and Recognition:
Restoration Premiere (New York Film Festival, 2017)

Restoration:
Restored in 4K by Studiocanal at L'Immagine Ritrovata laboratory (Bologna)

Reviews and Quotes 2

“Of all Renoir’s films Monsieur Lange is the most spontaneous, the richest in miracles of camera work, the most full of pure beauty and truth. In short, it is a film touched by divine grace.”
— François Truffaut

“PERFECTION!
ONE OF RENOIR’S MOST COMPLETELY DELIGHTFUL MOVIES!”
— Geoff Andrew, Time Out London

“One of Renoir’s most beautiful works and one of the most representative of his genius and talents. Personally, I would not rank it far from The Rules of the Game... This collaboration with Prévert produced some of the best, if not the best, dialogue of French pre-war cinema.”
— André Bazin