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Elevator to the Gallows
Elevator to the Gallows
8.5
/10
7,398 Ratings

ELEVATOR TO THE GALLOWS

Ascenseur pour l'échafaud

Directed by Louis Malle
France, 1958
Drama, Thriller, Crime

Synopsis

Femme fatale Florence recruits her lover, Julien, to murder her husband in his office. The man does the dirty deed eagerly, but gets trapped in an elevator when he returns to remove a key piece of evidence. Julien’s unfortunate oversight will unintentionally provoke an ill-fated chain of events.

Synopsis

Femme fatale Florence recruits her lover, Julien, to murder her husband in his office. The man does the dirty deed eagerly, but gets trapped in an elevator when he returns to remove a key piece of evidence. Julien’s unfortunate oversight will unintentionally provoke an ill-fated chain of events.

Our take

Louis Malle’s classic film noir set the tone for the forthcoming French New Wave, and propelled Jeanne Moreau’s career as an iconic and daring actress. Miles Davis’ atmospheric score (his first music made for film!) accentuates both the suspense and a pervading sense of alienation.