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

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 PasserbyThe Passerby · 1951
The Passerby
★ 6.01951
MovieDrama
A woman who has a terrible secret to conceal takes refuge on a barge.
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 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.
Crossroads of PassionCrossroads of Passion · 1948
Crossroads of Passion
★ 9.01948
Movie
Lisbon, the capital of Neutral Portugal, is a hotbed of spies. Mario, a cabaret singer working for the Allies is responsible for the death of an Italian agent. His widow Irène heads to Portugal and in her desire for revenge she agrees to work for the Nazis.
Fatal AffairFatal Affair · 1953
Fatal Affair
★ 4.31953
MovieDrama
Didier's wife is ill, and he does the best he can to take care of her. But he's often absent and he has casual love affairs. But Leone he meets in Bruxelles wants to become his one and only mistress.
The Lafarge CaseThe Lafarge Case · 1938
The Lafarge Case
★ 6.51938
MovieDramaCrime
Based on true facts, a news item which was widely talked about in the nineteenth century, this is the story of a wife who might have poisoned her husband .

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....

Screenplay