DIRECTOR: Christian-Jaque
PRODUCER: Georges Cheyko
PRODUCTION CO: Mediterranean Film Productions, Agata Films, Mizar Movies
SCREENPLAY: Henri Jeanson, Christian-Jaque, based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas
​PHOTOGRAPHY: Henri Decaë
EDITOR: Jacques Desagneaux
MUSIC: Gérard Calvi
WITH: Alain Delon (Julien/Guillaume de Saint Preux), Virna Lisi (Caroline 'Caro' Plantin), Adolfo Marsillach (Baron La Mouche), Dawn Addams (Marquise Catherine de Vignogne), Akim Tamiroff (Marquis de Vigogne)

REVIEWS

“In 1964, prolific French filmmaker Christian-Jaque fashioned a dazzling showcase for rising star Alain Delon… Delon had made quite the impression in René Clément’s Purple Noon and Luchino Visconti’s Rocco and His Brothers and The Leopard (all regarded as masterworks today) and was even considered for the lead in David Lean’s epic, Lawrence of Arabia, which ultimately went to Peter O’Toole.

The Black Tulip , very loosely based on the Alexandre Dumas novel of the same name, gave audiences two Delons for the price of one, and was a huge box office success…

Set in 1789, right before the storming of the Bastille, The Black Tulip follows the titular masked avenger, aristocrat Guillaume de Saint Preux by day, played grittily by Delon, who is facially scarred by the Baron La Mouche (Adolfo Marsillach). In order to escape exposure, Guillaume summons his identical twin brother, Julien (a kinder, gentler Delon) to pretend to be him. And things get wacky from there.

The ridiculously handsome Delon is perfectly dashing in both roles. Julien is the naive idealist while Guillaume seemingly only cares about himself and loathes both the monarchy and the common people. Delon was a true cinematic force and watching him at the very beginning of a remarkable career is a treat.”

– Frank J Avella, The Contending

FILM SOCIETY SCREENINGS

Auckland  
Monday, 13 July, 6.15pm

Nelson  
Wednesday, 29 July 6.00pm

​Palmerston North
​Wednesday, 05 August, 6.00pm

​Hamilton 
Monday, 17 August, 6.30pm

​Westport  
Wednesday, 09 September, 7.00pm
FRENCH CONNECTIONS  >> 
French Connections is presented in
​co-operation with the Institut Français and the Embassy of France