The Crystal Cradle

1976 1h 21m FR

👍

7.4

SOLID

★7.4TMDB · 13

Drama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

An androgynous poet/dreamer sits and writes and meditates on the aching void that is her life.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Nico
Dominique Sanda
Anita Pallenberg
Margareth Clémenti
Philippe Garrel
Frédéric Pardo

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Philippe Garrel
Writers: Philippe Garrel
Languages: French
Countries: France

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

81 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

50 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Philippe Garrel, shot by Philippe Garrel. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Manuel Göttsching. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Philippe Garrel shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Nico and Dominique Sanda and Anita Pallenberg carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0072692 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Philippe Garrel directs. Philippe Garrel behind the camera. Manuel Göttsching scores. Philippe Garrel cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in France. Dialogue in French.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

181 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
250 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
3Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
4Directed by Philippe Garrel, shot by Philippe Garrel. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by Manuel Göttsching. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Philippe Garrel shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Nico and Dominique Sanda and Anita Pallenberg carry the top of the cast.
8IMDB entry: tt0072692 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Only 13 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.