Introduction
As an assistant to Jean Renoir in the 1930s, Becker drew from his mentor a fondness for realism and an unwavering sense of human decency.
He became a director during the Occupation, showing an aptitude for taking on familiar genres – comedy, film noir, social drama – and putting his own spin on them.
Films such as Casque d’or and Touchez pas au grisbi reveal a generous attitude to people of dubious morality, for Becker was always more interested in human complexity than plots, and he showed his working-class characters in a more sympathetic light than the brittle bourgeoisie.
Few filmmakers have matched his love of Frenchness, and in particular the city of Paris.
Becker’s films have benefited from several restorations, unveiling a director of rare passion and invention.
Highlighted works
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Becker’s most-loved film, about a golden-haired woman who finds a new lover, is probably his masterpiece.
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The story of dissolute painter Modigliani (Gérard Philippe) and the women in his life.
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A haunting, witty and masterful film about honour and ageing, starring Jean Gabin.
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Becker’s outstanding parting gift to cinema is this gripping tale of a prison escape.
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Two ambitious policemen compete with each other to solve a mysterious murder in a grand hotel.
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One of the finest films about postwar St Germain, where philosophy, theatre and jazz thrived.
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Becker’s offbeat comedy about a failing marriage is surprisingly dark at times.
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Jacques Becker’s seductively energetic look at the world of haute couture.
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The Goupi are a corrupt family who all come under suspicion when one of them is murdered for her money.
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A joyous marriage is affected by a winning lottery ticket that goes astray.
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Jean Renoir’s pacifist classic is set in a German prisoner-of-war camp during WWI, where class kinship is felt across national boundaries.
Filmography
2016
A Journey through French Cinema
For
1998
JACQUES BECKER LA PASSION DU CINÉMA
[Subject of Film]
1960
Director
Script
Dialogue1958
Director
1957
Director
Script1954
Director
Adapted for the screen by1954
Director
Script1953
Director
1952
Director
Scenario by
Adaptation, Dialogue & Découpage
[blind tramp]1951
Director
Script1949
Director
Script
Original screen story1947
Director
Script1945
Director
Adaptation
Dialogue1943
Director
1942
Director
1940
[Director (Some Scenes)]
1937
La MARSEILLAISE CHRONIQUE DE QUELQUES FAITS AYANT CONTRIBUÉ À LA CHUTE DE LA MONARCHIE
Assistant Director
1937
Assistant Director
[English officer]1936
1st Assistant Director
[seminary student]1936
Assistant
unemployed worker1936
Assistant Director
[silhouette]1935
Director
1933
Assistant Director
1932
Production Manager
Assistant Director1932
Assistant Director
[poet on park bench]1932
Assistant Director
cast member1929
farm worker
Sight & Sound magazine
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Reviews, interviews and features from the international film magazine.
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