La beauté du diable

Though I'm french, I am not a fan of french movies which I usually find boring or too intellectual ( in a pejorative way ).

This being said, I've always liked this movie, greatly because of the incredible performance of Michel Simon, undoubtedly one of the greatest french actors ever. His portrayal of Mephistopheles is delightful in every way. He leaves but little place to the other actors ( mostly Gerard Philippe the avatar of the romantic actor, playing young Faust having sold his soul to the devil ).

In an era where special effects where about non existent, Rene Clair managed to make a really witty comedy about the meaning of life.

Astonishing to see how certain movies, no matter how old they are, remain entertaining. This is definitely one of them.

A must see ! Should you like it, try Belles de Jour from Rene Clair too, another witty romantic old times french comedy. You'll be pleased.

long time, for me it was the result of an unique meet - Rene Clair, Michel Simon and Gerard Philippe. then, it seems be one of the most elegant adaptations of the legend of Doctor Faust. not the last, a seductive work of Gerard Philippe who, more than an admirable performance, has the splendid gift to give to us the pure, honest, vulnerable, fresh and touching spirit of youth. it is a film who seems be so simple... . a fairy tale, or parable, well known before you see it. but, in essence, it remains a revelation. like an open window in the early morning of summer.

This is such an excellent movie. It's worth calling a masterpiece. I just want to tell everyone I know about it! Gerard Philippe is amazingly handsome. To lots of people, he might look not only handsome but also smart, sophiscated and sexy and he is as a matter of a fact. Plots, performance, direction, casting, music and background. These essences of movies are just outstanding. Told by my friends that he was an amazing actor, I understood that they were right after watching this movie. I felt deeply satisfied by the quality just like I had wonderful meals in the 3-star restaurant.

If you want to explore French movies, I will recommend you this one.

Ah!my beauty past compare these jewels!

René Clair movies are ,in my humble opinion,among the least interesting of the old cinema:Duvivier,Carné ,Renoir,Pagnol,Clouzot and Grémillon are much more exciting.Even the so-called masterpieces such as "le million"(1931) or "quatorze juillet" fail to excite me.In America ,Clair made a valuable adaptation of Christie's "and then were none ,but I'm not sure he was the right director for that.Returning to France ,he released "le silence est d'or' which I personally find unpleasant ,and then "la beauté du diable".

"La beauté du diable" would be interesting,were it only for Michel Simon's sensational portrayal of Mephisto and handsome Gerard Philippe,although very good, is sometimes dwarfed by the old lion of the French cinema.The lines are sometimes witty and hints at the atomic bomb reflect the greatest fear of the era.Simone Valere,Jean Desailly's wife ,as the princess,finds here one of her rare good screen parts -she mainly worked on stage-

That said,Jacques Tourneur made a much better job with the devil in "la main du diable" ,which is the real granddaddy of "Rosemary's baby" or "Angel heart".

Gerard Philippe was to be featured in two Clair's subsequent works ,two overrated works ,"belles de nuit" and "les grandes manoeuvres" ,and alas,sans Michel Simon.

Technically very well-made, with excellent performances by Michel Simon and Gérard Philippe- the rest of the cast is pretty forgettable. But somehow it sags in the middle and it all seems rather superficial and distant. You don't engage with the characters. The dialogue is too literary for modern tastes and the court scenes with their dances and music just fill up time. Smooth entertainment but it could have been much more gripping. I find Clair's next film, also with Gérard Philippe, funnier and better constructed.