Mitternachtsparty

As well as being a prolific performer on both stage and screen, Robert Hossein has also found time to direct twenty-four films, most of which he has either adapted or for which he has written the original screenplay.

The material here is predictable and far from being inspired but is rendered bearable by the charismatic Paul Meurisse, Jean Servais and Jean-Louis Trintignant together with a handful of actresses who exhibit an elegance and refined sensuality that is alas gone forever. Hossein himself does a turn as a far from conventional policeman. He and his cinematographer Christian Matras have manoeuvered the cast around a single set designed by Jean André although the overall effect is somewhat static. The director's father provides his customarily insipid score which contributes nothing whatsoever to the drama.

Monsieur Hossein's output has generally been regarded as possessing more style than substance which is a little unfair but that criticism certainly applies here.

I would strongly advise you not to play this game at home for as Oscar Wilde reminds us: "the Truth is seldom pure and never simple."