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Cast
François Simon
as Charles Dé
Marie-Claire Dufour
as Adeline
Marcel Robert
as Paul
Maya Simon
as Marianne Dé, Fille de Charles
André Schmidt
as Pierre Dé, Fils de Charles
Jo Excoffier
as Reporter de TV
Walter Schochli
as Le Détective
Jean-Pierre Moriaud
as L'Avocat
Janine Christoffe
as La Femme de Chambre
Michèle Martel
as Germaine Dé, la Femme de Charles
Movie Info & Details
Release Year1970
Runtime1h 33m
LanguageFrench
CertificationNR
GenresDrama
Votes32
DirectorAlain Tanner
WritersAlain Tanner
TypeFeature Film
Rating6.5 out of 10
Cast10 credited
Also Known AsCharles, Dead or Alive
About Charles, Dead or Alive
On the 100th anniversary of the founding of a watchmaking company in Geneva, Charles Dé the founder's 50-year-old grandson has had it: he speaks eccentrically to a reporter, recognizing his grandfather as a craftsman and his son as a businessman, but is evasive about himself. He gives his family the slip and moves in with a young couple he meets by chance, doing the cooking, reading, drinking, and engaging in philosophical discussions with them. The young couple comes to love Charles. In secret, he stays in touch with a daughter, and the rest of the family hires a private investigator to find him, setting in motion a business take-over that threatens his Bohemian happiness.
Directed by Alain Tanner, Charles, Dead or Alive leans on a strong ensemble — François Simon, Marie-Claire Dufour, Marcel Robert — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1970.
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