Just Before Nightfall
| Just Before Nightfall | |
|---|---|
DVD cover
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| Directed by | Claude Chabrol |
| Produced by | André Génovès |
| Screenplay by | Claude Chabrol |
| Based on | The novel of the same name by Edward Atiyah |
| Starring |
Stéphane Audran Michel Bouquet |
| Music by | Pierre Jansen |
| Cinematography | Jean Rabier |
| Edited by | Jacques Gaillard |
| Distributed by | Cinegai S.p.A. Les Films de la Boétie |
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Release date
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31 March 1971 |
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Running time
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USA: 100 min France: 106 min |
| Country | France Italy |
| Language | French |
Just Before Nightfall (French: ''Juste avant la nuit'') is a 1971 film written and directed by Claude Chabrol, based on the novel The Thin Line by Edward Atiyah. Audran won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her role at the 27th British Academy Film Awards.
Charles Masson (Bouquet), an advertising executive, is having an affair with Laura (Douking), the wife of his best friend, world-renowned architect François Tellier (Périer). Their sex life consists of sadomasochistic behavior, and in one of their heated sessions, Charles accidentally strangles Laura. Completely confused, Charles leaves the borrowed apartment in Paris and runs into François at a nearby bistro. The two drive back together to Versailles, where they have beautiful adjoining houses designed by François. The owner of the apartment had seen Laura and Charles together two months earlier, but she does not tell the police because of François. Even though the police do not seem to have any clues to the crime, Charles has a difficult time coping with the situation, and tries to lead a normal life with his two children and loving wife Hélène (Audran).
Roger Ebert of The Chicago Sun-Times gave the film 3 1/2 out of 4 stars:
Mike Sutton of The Digital Fix:
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Wikipedia