This is directed by Andre Cayatte from his own screenplay and typically from this director, moral ambiguity is under the microscope. The cinematography of Jean Badal is dark-hued and the score by Louiguy suitably low key. This is Jean Gabin's penultimate film and the gravitas he brings to the role of the judge is undeniable. Sophia Loren's performance as the mother of the accused is exemplary and her French accent very good indeed. The courtroom scenes, as one would expect from former lawyer Cayatte, are extremely well done with Henri Garcin and veteran Julien Berthau as defending and prosecuting counsels. The mother, the judge and the judge's wife, played by Gisele Casadessus, are forced by circumstances to make horrendous moral choices. It is bitterly ironic therefore that each one of them loses that which they hold most dear. Not a very comfortable watch to be sure but one should see it if only for the cast iron professionalism and star quality of Gabin and Loren. Such a pity they had not worked together before but better late than never!
