The Clockmaker of St. Paul
L'Horloger de Saint-Paul
France • 1974
Director
Synopsis
In Bertrand Tavernier’s masterful feature debut, clockmaker Michel Descombes (Philippe Noiret, in the first of many collaborations with the director) finds his well-ordered life blown apart by the discovery that his son is wanted for murder. As the investigation proceeds, Michel befriends the police inspector (Jean Rochefort) in charge of his son’s case. Based on a novel by Georges Simenon, THE CLOCKMAKER OF ST. PAUL (a.k.a. THE CLOCKMAKER) eschews the expected narrative machinations of a procedural to focus instead on the relationship that develops between the two men as Michel attempts to understand the motivations behind his son’s crime.
Synopsis
In Bertrand Tavernier’s masterful feature debut, clockmaker Michel Descombes (Philippe Noiret, in the first of many collaborations with the director) finds his well-ordered life blown apart by the discovery that his son is wanted for murder. As the investigation proceeds, Michel befriends the police inspector (Jean Rochefort) in charge of his son’s case. Based on a novel by Georges Simenon, THE CLOCKMAKER OF ST. PAUL (a.k.a. THE CLOCKMAKER) eschews the expected narrative machinations of a procedural to focus instead on the relationship that develops between the two men as Michel attempts to understand the motivations behind his son’s crime.
Credits
Crew
DirectorBertrand Tavernier
CinematographerPierre-William Glenn
ComposerPhilippe Sarde
EditorArmand Psenny
ProducerRaymond Danon
Cast
Philippe Noiretas Michel Descombes
Jean Rochefortas Commissioner Guilboud
Jacques Denisas Antoine, friend of Michel