The Wretches

1960 1h 30m FR

😐

6.4

MID

★6.4TMDB · 9

Drama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Meant to be a psychological study of a dysfunctional couple and an equally unbalanced maid, this slow-paced, murky melodrama stars Michele Morgan and Robert Hossein as Thelma and Jess, two Americans who move into a down-at-the-heels Paris neighborhood. The couple is still suffering from the loss of their only son in an automobile accident that happened some time in the distant past. Thelma tends to drown her sorrows in alcohol, while Jess is introspected and morose. After they hire a maid to help out with the housework, she falls for the taciturn Jess. Her interest seems to be only a simple attraction, yet appearances, as it turns out, are deceiving.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

WhatsApp X Facebook Telegram

Cast

Michèle Morgan
Thelma Rooland
Robert Hossein
Jess Rooland
Olivier Hussenot
Arthur Martin
Jacqueline Morane
Adeline Martin
Perrette Pradier
Louise Martin
Paul Bisciglia
Barbara Brandt
Ivan Dominique

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Robert Hossein
Writers: Robert Hossein, Frédéric Dard
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

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

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

66 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Robert Hossein, shot by Jacques Robin. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

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

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

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

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Michèle Morgan and Robert Hossein and Olivier Hussenot carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0053255 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

Only 9 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Robert Hossein directs. Jacques Robin behind the camera. André Hossein scores. Louisette Hautecœur cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in France. Dialogue in French.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

190 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
266 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
3Directed by Robert Hossein, shot by Jacques Robin. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by André Hossein. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Louisette Hautecœur shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Michèle Morgan and Robert Hossein and Olivier Hussenot carry the top of the cast.
7IMDB entry: tt0053255 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Only 9 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.