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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

It's an intriguing thriller ably acted against the colorful backdrop.

Jul 25, 2019

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Roger Moore

Movie Nation

Laughton makes a grand Maigret. Tone dazzles, and the titular Tower and the city that surrounds it play their parts with style, panache and just a hint of grit.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 13, 2023

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Brandon Judell

CultureCatch

Using the same novel that A Man's Neck employed, this troubled U.S. production is inferior in every manner, from the uneven acting by the supporting cast to the use of a dummy falling off the Eiffel Tower, yet the tale is never less than intriguing.

Rated: 7/10

Aug 14, 2013

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Somehow comes together as a fascinating, psychological noir package.

Sep 18, 2008

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nick s

The story gets going straight away and it's a reasonably good page turner. Some of the interaction between characters felt a little stiff or forced. An okay watch but slightly scratchy production quality.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/08/24

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Josh G

A dark comedy in tone, Shot like a early Hitchcock film. Acted in a serious tone but contrasted by silly music that kills an suspension of belief. It has too much happening and no direction. Meh.......

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/17/23

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Audience Member

I just want to write a love note to the Japanese from my memories of Paris. When I was a young girl I had the unfortunate opportunity to go to the tourist trap that is Tour D'Eiffel. At the time they only ran the elevators once an hour, and there was a mad dash of tourists to get on it, and as my Dad recounted "The Italians trampled you when you lost your shoe in the door." I passed out. A kind Japanese man gave me his seat, and my Dad said how wonderful he was compared to those mean pushy Italians who could've cared less if I lived or died. Thank you kind Japanese man. Thank you a million times. I'm not saying all Italians are this way, but man, their Parisian tourists were circa 1990.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Ken R

While a strange venture, this one-off curiosity offers an eye-popping visual style quite unlike the majority of on-location films of its day. This marvellous look is created by the huge talents of cinematographer Stanley Cortez (The Night of the Hunter '55) Cortez creates hypnotic focus for numerous outdoor and indoor locations - that might have otherwise been routine. It's to be certain he would have been a huge influence and help, to actor/director Burgess Meredith - who took over direction at the last minute as recommend by fellow actor (and co-director) Charles Laughton. The interesting cast do well with their characters as this rather convoluted tale careens from one curious situation towards its destination atop the famous tower. While the tower may not have offered much to the story, in 1949, it would have certainly made an exciting addition for worldwide audiences. Seems this is one of the earliest English language screen appearances of Georges Simenon's famous Inspector Maigret, with Laughton faring well as the famous French sleuth. Co-Producer/Actor, Franchot Tone's then ex-wife, Jean Wallace (following a difficult real-life divorce) shares the female lead with Patricia Roc. Appears not much is left of the original film components and the existing DVD copies have been treated to a clean-up (as much as achievable) making this fine vintage work once again available to interested viewers (the British Odeon DVD seems best to date) with the Ansco colour given a fair touch-up. Like vintage classic mysteries? Then check this out.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/17/21

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Audience Member

Not especially believable, particularly by today's standards. Some of the scenes make no sense when you think about it. Burgess Meredith and Charles Laughton are good.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

kevin w

"A vacation in Paris? And get paid for it? You bet!" One gets the definite impression that there is the underlying motive behind this, but perhaps that's a good thing, as a love for the City of Lights permeates the entire effort. Burgess Meredith directs (?!?) this interesting chase film as Charles Laughton, a Parisian policeman, must match wits against an international murderer, Franchot Tone. Doubly interesting is how the creators do a story in France w/o a word of French in the whole thing. There are nods to Hitchcock and Welles therein, but if only taken for the unique views of Paris it would still be worth your time.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Burgess Meredith

Director

Charles Laughton

Inspector Jules Maigret

Franchot Tone

Johann Radek

Burgess Meredith

Joseph Heurtin

Robert Hutton

Bill Kirby

Jean Wallace

Edna Wallace

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Synopsis

When the aunt of Edna Wallace (Jean Wallace) is murdered, Inspector Jules Maigret (Charles Laughton) is brought into the case. Initial suspicion is thrown on a knife sharpener (Burgess Meredith), but Maigret soon takes notice of a student, Johann Radek (Franchot Tone), who keeps goading the police. Unfortunately, there is no evidence against Radek. The psychological games between Maigret and Radek escalate as the police narrow in on the killer, leading to a harrowing chase across Paris.

Director: Burgess Meredith
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 12, 1949, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 17, 2020
Runtime: 1h 22m

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