Pierre Dumayet Movies

In this French science fiction thriller, nuclear war breaks out over Europe, and a group of visitors to a local chateau take cover in the basement. When they venture outside after the fighting stops, they discover that the chateau has sustained serious damage and the surrounding lands have been laid to waste. The survivors try to rebuild the house as best they can, and they begin growing food in order to sustain themselves, until they encounter Fulbert (Jean-Louis Trintignant), a deranged fascist who is leading a band of ragged survivors who live in several abandoned railroad cars. The survivors of the chateau defeat Fulbert, and his forces join with the people of the chateau to build a new society. However, they are soon ambushed by government troops, who are rounding up survivors of the nuclear attack and relocating them to concentration camps. Three of the chateau survivors are able to escape and attempt to make their way to safety. Malevil (named for the chateau where most of the action takes place) won a 1981 Cesar Award in France for Best Production Design. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

In Jury of One, French filmmaker Andre Cayatte once more probes into the intricacies of the Gallic justice system. Sophia Loren plays the widow of a man reputed to be a gangster. When Loren's son Michel Albertini is accused of murder, his father's reputation practically assures a guilty verdict. Desperately, Loren kidnaps Gisel Casadessus, the wife of prosecuting judge Jean Gabin. In order to save Gisel's life, Gabin acquits Albertini, only to discover that his wife, a diabetic, has died after refusing to take insulin. It is up to the conscience-stricken Loren to mete out final justice against herself. Jury of One was also distributed to English-speaking countries under the title The Verdict. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Originally Mourir D'Aimer, this 1970 French film is an "a clef" treatment of the once-notorious Gabrielle Russier case. Annie Girardot stars as a thirtyish schoolteacher, who falls in love with teenaged student Bruno Pradal. The boy's parents bring charges against the teacher, and the subsequent public scandal ruins the lives of both lovers. Director Andre Cayatte was a longtime opponent of the antiquated French legal system, so it's not surprising that the cards are stacked in favor of the teacher and student, with their accusers depicted in the foulest, ugliest terms. Adding to the film's partisan approach is the fact that the screenplay is based on a story written by the real Gabrielle Russier's attorney. To Die of Love is shameless in its manipulation of the audience; it also has the saving grace of being extremely well produced. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi