The Watchmaker of St. Paul

1974 1h 45m FR

👍

6.9

SOLID

★6.9TMDB · 122

ThrillerDramaCrime

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Michel Descombes is a watchmaker who lives in Lyon with his teenage son Bernard. When the police visit and inform him that Bernard has killed a man and is on the run with a girl, Michel realises that he knew far less about his son than he thought.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

WhatsApp X Facebook Telegram

Where to watch · US

Criterion ChannelSubscription

Cast

Philippe Noiret
Michel Descombes
Jean Rochefort
Commissioner Guilboud
Jacques Denis
Antoine, friend of Michel
Yves Afonso
Inspector Bricard
Julien Bertheau
Edouard, friend of Michel
Jacques Hilling
Costes, journalist
Clotilde Joano
Janine Boitard, journalist
Andrée Tainsy
Madeleine Fourmet

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Bertrand Tavernier
Writers: Bertrand Tavernier, Jean Aurenche, Pierre Bost
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 / 6

ERA

Did you know

52 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 6

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Bertrand Tavernier, shot by Pierre-William Glenn. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 6

DIRECTOR

Did you know

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

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 6

DIRECTOR

Did you know

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

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 6

CAST

Did you know

Philippe Noiret and Jean Rochefort and Jacques Denis carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 6

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0071622 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Bertrand Tavernier directs. Pierre-William Glenn behind the camera. Philippe Sarde scores. Armand Psenny cuts. Produced in France. Dialogue in French.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

152 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
2Directed by Bertrand Tavernier, shot by Pierre-William Glenn. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
3Original score by Philippe Sarde. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
4Editor Armand Psenny shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Philippe Noiret and Jean Rochefort and Jacques Denis carry the top of the cast.
6IMDB entry: tt0071622 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.