Le Rouge et le Noir

Le Rouge et le Noir is a 1954 French-Italian historical drama directed by Claude Autant-Lara, who co-wrote the screenplay with Jean Aurenche and Pierre Bost. Adapted from Stendhal's 1830 novel of the same name, it was released in two parts. The cast is led by Gérard Philipe, Danielle Darrieux and Antonella Lualdi, with Georges Wilson and Jacques Varennes among the supporting players.

Set in 19th-century France, the story follows Julien Sorel, the ambitious son of a carpenter determined to rise above his modest origins. He first works as a tutor in the household of a provincial mayor, where he begins a forbidden affair with the lady of the house, and later moves to Paris to pursue his fortunes within aristocratic circles, entangling himself in another dangerous romance. His relentless striving, caught between love, pride and social ambition, carries him toward a tragic destiny. Shot at the Saint-Maurice Studios in Paris with sets by Max Douy, the film won the French Syndicate of Cinema Critics prize for best film of 1955 and the Grand Prix de l'Académie du Cinéma. It circulated in several versions of differing lengths, from about 113 minutes up to nearly three hours.