Les bijoutiers du clair de lune

In Cinemascope and Technicolor, "The Night Heaven Fell" is spectacular in more ways than one. Vadim takes us across and through some incredible landscapes in Spain, using long shots to great effect. Then there is the spectacle of the virulent cult of bullfighting which comes into the film twice, the brutality of which is emphasized more than its cultural mystique. And that's obviously because this is as much Bardot's film as her husband's, and her evolution into an animal rights activist, which she remains today, is on full display here. Her scenes with the many animals in the film are full of genuine warmth and compassion, and even becomes an important plot point when her runaway outlaw lover wants to kill a piglet so they won't starve in the wilderness.

And of course the main spectacle for many (esp. males) is Brigitte Bardot herself, in all her youthful radiant vivacious libidinous glory. I personally had a pre-pubescent crush on her in the late 50's, when this movie came out. Of course I never saw one of her movies back then but photos in magazines, probably Life and Look or my mom's Photoplay. And there was that lobby card on display outside the Avalon theater on 75th street in Houston in '58 advertising "and God...Created Woman," showing the famous shot of Bardot in bed with a sheet just barely covering her not-so-private parts. It was a neighborhood theater that had turned into an "art" (adults only) theater that I walked by regularly, and I did stare at that still photo for a good long time as a 10 year old.

I still haven't seen many of her films, but in this film she proves her acting chops and also gets to expose her physical assets on a level American actresses were certainly not able to do, especially in a dramatic film of this caliber. It's kind of funny how Vadim paced the tease of the film for the horny viewer, exposing her incrementally almost like clockwork, culminating in a breast shot as Stephen Boyd falls on her to once again seal their doomed passion.

And that's what really raises this above any kind of titillating pulp romance, the authenticity not only of the sets and people, from all the amazing extras to the stars, but of the emotions the two lovers display. Bardot, whom I've lusted after for nearly 50 years, could act like Signoret or Moreau, at least in this film.

Although this movie has much to do with the Spanish sense of pride and honor, its real issue is a fierce competition between the beauty of Brigitte Bardot and that of the landscape of Southern Spain. As Bardot's performance is pretty uninspired here, this time the scenery wins.

'Les bijoutiers du clair de lune' makes good watching for its enjoyable shots. As for Bardot, she certainly did better in other movies.

It is difficult to find a point of interest in this film except if you are a male looking for a scantily clad Bardot or interested in watching the miserable way of life in south Spain during Franco's period. Spanish most poor gypsies lived in sacromonte, near Granada, in caves dug in the rock because they couldn't even afford to live in a shanty. Rural southern Spain was a combination of misery and illiteracy where only the local cacique had things like running water or electricity. In this context is set this movie, where a girl just released from a convent and without a bit of shyness arrives to join their uncles. Miss Bardot's brat dumb character is so infamously used to exploit her anathomy at the slightest opportunity that it cringes to say the least. Although mr. Boyd's character is not far behind in terms of silliness. What else to say except that best acting - if that means a thing in a film like this- comes from totally wasted Alida Valli, Stephen Boyd (Messala, where are you?) and - in a brief appearance- Fernando Rey (miles away from French Connection) who do the best they can with the poor material they are given. All in all, a movie made to the greater glory of miss Bardot that does not deserve a watching.

The spoiled Ursula de Fonte (Brigitte Bardot) leaves the convent where she was educated to live with her Aunt Florentine (Alida Valli) and her tutor and uncle, Count Miguel de Ribera (Pepe Nieto), in a farm nearby a village in Spain. While driving through the village, Ursula sees the local dweller Lamberto (Stephen Boyd) accusing her uncle of being responsible for the suicide of his sister. Lamberto goes to the farm to fight against Miguel but he is beaten up.

Ursula falls in love with Lamberto but sooner she finds that he is Florentine's lover. When Miguel finds Lamberto in his real state, he shoots the trespasser and Lamberto stabs and kills Miguel. Ursula helps Lamberto to flee and they are chased by the police. Ursula becomes his lover and their love ends in tragedy.

"Les Bijoutiers du Clair de Lune" is a silly melodramatic romance by Roger Vadim. I saw this film many years ago on cable television and I have just seen it again on DVD.

The plot is absolutely ridiculous, with a terrible story and characters. Brigitte Bardot never convinces as a virgin girl that was raised in a convent and her character is annoyingly hysterical. Stephen Boyd also does not convince as a Spaniard and his wolf character is very unpleasant. The gorgeous Alida Valli has good performance in the role of a repressed woman that falls in an unrequited love with Lamberto, but the poor script does not help her.

In addition to Alida Valli, the locations and the beauty and erotic situations of BB are the best that "Les Bijoutiers du Clair de Lune" can offer, but it is very few to enjoy this film. My vote is four.

Title (Brazil): "Ao Cair da Noite" ("Near Nightfall")

This is by far my favorite Brigitte Bardot movie! I love the Spanish scenery, I love her costumes, love the pulp-fiction semi-exploitation which Vadim teases us with, and I love Bardot's chemistry with Stephen Boyd (Ben Hur's 'Messala'). They make an absolutely sizzling screen pair together, and they look gorgeous. Boyd was one of her few English speaking co-stars (the first since Dirk Bogarde in 'Doctor at Sea', in fact). Boyd is like a hot-tempered bull in this. Even though he is dubbed, it doesn't detract from his performance. His muscular physique adds to the tension between himself and Bardot, who matches his intensity. Vadim's movies are always fun to watch, but I like the one in particular. It's just a sexy movie. He has a great way of directing Bardot and bringing out her best characteristics. Alida Valli is great as the seduced, then spurned woman. Can't ask for better entertainment in my opinion.