Verdict

A true Cayattov movie, which inevitably looks "only" like a kind of preparation for a three years younger master piece To Each His Hell. Although the cast and plot are different and to some extent similar like two peas in a pod (especially in the course from a seemingly schematically bound introduction to a striking conclusion) . Verdikt loses points due to emotional coldness, which is as deliberate as it is stylistic, but in one of the two story lines, it is not entirely appropriate. And then, Loren is not exactly a great match for the role. Her performance always has had a certain theatricality with which some directors were able to use and which fit well a certain type of character; however, this is not the case. Otherwise, great job, precisely such an uncompromising criminal drama based on strong characters and their Sophie's Choices, is the reason why the French genre movies of the seventies have such great reputation and set examples. (12/02/2018)

This is a strong film with two great actors, or rather one actor and one actress, in the lead roles. Jean Gabin is classically distant and unapproachable here, and Sophia Loren also plays a character who is not very approachable, and yet she is much more emotive. We can then add to that a strong story that has a very good finale that takes hope away. (03/10/2017)