Le signe du lion DVD 1962 The Sign of Leo / Directed by Éric Rohmer / Starring: Jess Hahn, Jean Le Poulain, Van Doude / B&W French Classic

UPC 3530941020784

REGION 2 PAL DVD 

MADE IN FRANCE

AUDIO:  French mono

Total Runtime: 100 minutes

!!! Condition of this DVD is USED VERY GOOD !!!

English Summary:

Le Signe du lion (The Sign of Leo) is a black and white French drama film directed by Éric Rohmer, which was filmed on location in Paris in the summer of 1959 but not released until May 1962. His first full-length work, it is not however one of his Six Moral Tales. Along with Le Beau Serge by Claude Chabrol, who produced The Sign of Leo, it counts as one of the first films of the French New Wave.

The title refers to the Zodiac sign of Leo, under which the protagonist says he was born, and much of the plot revolves around notions of luck and fate. The penniless Pierre believes he has inherited a fortune but, when told it went to a cousin, sinks into indigence and despair. Then he is found by a friend who says the cousin has died and Pierre has really inherited the fortune.

The film was not a commercial success and for eight years afterwards Rohmer concentrated on short films and on his work at the influential film magazine Cahiers du cinéma.

In early summer in Paris, the would-be composer or architect, American by nationality Peter Wesselrin, commonly known as Pierre, learns that his rich aunt has died. Expecting a substantial legacy, he borrows a large sum from his closest friend, the journalist Jean-François, and throws a celebration party for everybody he knows. There, as well as playing his just-completed violin sonata, he gets notice that he is to be evicted from his apartment. But, as he explains to his friends, he is always lucky because he is a Leo.

A few weeks later, Jean-François tells friends he can't find Pierre, who has been moving from one cheap hotel to another. Then he hears that the aunt's wealth was all left to a cousin but, still unable to contact Pierre, has to take an assignment overseas. By August, all the rest of Pierre's friends have left town for their holidays and he is selling his possessions to eat.

French Summary:

Le Signe du Lion est un film français réalisé par Éric Rohmer en 1959, mais sorti seulement en 1962. C'est le premier long métrage d'Éric Rohmer.

Pierre Wesserlin, musicien américain, mène une joyeuse vie de bohème à Paris et dépense sans compter, en attente d'un héritage. Il accumule ainsi les dettes... jusqu'à ce qu'il apprenne qu'il n'est pas héritier. Ses créanciers lui coupent alors les vivres et ceux qui se prétendaient ses amis le quittent. En plein mois d'août, sous un soleil brûlant, il se retrouve seul et démuni dans la capitale désertée et ne cherche plus qu'à survivre, mais refuse de travailler. Devenu clochard, il touche le fond, mais son signe zodiacal le protège.

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