Directing

Henri Calef

Born July 20, 1910 · Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Died August 18, 1994 · aged 84

Henri Calef was a French film director and screenwriter known for his contributions to post-World War II cinema. Born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, he moved to France and began his career as an assistant director, working on films such as The Lafarge Case (1938). Calef made his directorial debut with L'Extravagante Mission (1945). He gained recognition with Jericho (1946), a film about French Resistance …

Known For

Shadow and LightShadow and Light · 1951
Shadow and Light
7.71951
MovieDrama
A few years ago, Isabelle Leritz, a famous pianist, suffered a fit of madness, in the middle of a concert. Now recovered, she fell in love with Jacques whom she plans to marry. She does not know that he is having an affair with Caroline, his sister, director of a fashion house.
The PasserbyThe Passerby · 1951
The Passerby
6.01951
MovieDrama
A woman who has a terrible secret to conceal takes refuge on a barge.
The Last TurningThe Last Turning · 1939
The Last Turning
6.51939
MovieDramaCrime
Frank, a hobo, ends up in a garage-truck stop in the middle of nowhere. Nick Marino, its older, kind and naive owner, is married to Cora, a sexy and mercenary woman half his age. Frank, although not a fan of hard work, accepts Nick's offer to work for him. Of course, it is not for Nick's sake that the young man becomes his attendant, but for the love of Cora under whose spell he has fallen at once. It does not take long before Cora, who despises her husband, asks her lover to help her get rid of him. Frank is reluctant at first but ...
The New RichThe New Rich · 1938
The New Rich
8.51938
MovieComedy
The workers Legendre and Martinet have won a large sum in the national lottery. Instead of squandering it, they had the good idea to invest it in industry. Happy in business, they soon find themselves at the head of a fortune. But their characters are very different. Legendre, who is brave and honest, narrowly escapes the malevolence of a couple of harlots. Martinet, his former work companion, has become a crooked and formidable financier. Both will face each other in court, the honesty of the first finally triumphing over the greed of the second.
The House Under the SeaThe House Under the Sea · 1947
The House Under the Sea
6.01947
MovieDrama
A stranger named Constant disrupts the life of Flora, who is seemingly happy with her husband Lucien. But she suddenly experiences a passionate love, taking refuge with Constant in a cave they call “home under the sea.”
The RoyalistsThe Royalists · 1947
The Royalists
7.21947
MovieAdventureHistory
The Marquis de Montauran was appointed to command the Chouans whose first two revolts were crushed. An aristocrat, Marie-Nathalie de Verneuil, is sent by Joseph Fouché to seduce and capture him.
The Secret of Helene MarimonThe Secret of Helene Marimon · 1954
The Secret of Helene Marimon
4.21954
MovieWarRomance
At the end of the Great War, the wounded Jacques Taillandier is cared for by the beautiful Hélène Marimon and becomes her lover. He hides from her the fact that her husband is a comrade from the trenches, and only reveals the truth when he learns of Marimon's death. Outraged, Hélène drives him away. After many years, Jacques reappears to learn that Hélène had once given him a daughter. Hélène, unwilling to reveal anything to young Dominique, forces the man she loves to leave her country. Dominique not only gets her mother to talk, but also reunites those separated by fate.
The Hour of TruthThe Hour of Truth · 1965
The Hour of Truth
6.01965
MovieDrama
At the end of World War 2, a Nazi escapes arrest by assuming the identity of concentration camp victim. 20 years later, he is threatened with exposure. The only way out would seem to be murder. Hour of Truth was lensed largely on location in Israel.

Filmography

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Les ViolentsLes Violents · 1958
Les Violents
5.21958
MovieMystery
Pierre Tercelin who used to be a prosperous industrialist is now ruined and embittered, having become a mere lock keeper. A widower, he lives with his daughter Evelyne, a music-hall dancer. Claiming he is being persecuted by his cousin Edgar he gets in touch again with another cousin of his he hates, Bernard, a millionaire gun runner,who is also a victim of Edgar. It must be said that both Pierre and Bernard once caused Edgar to go bankrupt... Pierre offers Bernard to join efforts against Edgar. Soon after, Bernard dies of poison, which is only the first of a series of acts of violence. Tiercelin is shot at while going back home, Bernard's son is gunned down while his sister Luciane disappears. Chief-inspector Malouvier - who oddly enough looks very much like the suspect- investigates....

Director