

The Elegant Criminal
Lacenaire
Synopsis
On 9 January 1836, Pierre Lacenaire goes to the guillotine, a murderer and a thief. He gives Allard, a police inspector, his life story, written while awaiting execution. He also asks Allard to care for Hermine, a lass to whom he has been guardian for more than ten years. In flashbacks, from the prison as Lacenaire writes, from Allard's study as he and Hermine read, and from other readers' memory after the book is published, we see Lacenaire's childhood as he stands up to bullies, including priests, his youthful thieving, his first murder, his brief army career, his seduction of a princess, and his affair with Avril, a young man who dies beside him.
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →Daniel Auteuil
Pierre-François Lacenaire
Jean Poiret
Allard
Jacques Weber
Jacques Arago
François Périer
Lacenaire's father
Geneviève Casile
Lacenaire's mother
Jean Davy
Alphonse Damoiseau
Jacques Duby
Marmignat
Paul Le Person
Vigouroux
Maïwenn
Hermine
Jacques Sereys
Pertuizet
Rufus
Canler
Gérard Desarthe
Professor Tonnelier
Jean-Damien Barbin
Baton
Marie-Armelle Deguy
Princess Ida
Samuel Labarthe
The abbot of Lusignan
Jean-Pierre Miquel
The president of the court
Jean-Paul Muel
Poulaillon
Patrick Pineau
Avril
Release History & Theatrical Window
September 5, 2005
Physical Home Media
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Francis Girod
- Screenplay & Story
- Georges Conchon, Francis Girod
- Original Score
- Laurent Petitgirard
- Original Title
- Lacenaire
- Country of Origin
- France
- Spoken Languages
- French
- Runtime
- 2h 5m
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Francis Girod
Georges Conchon, Francis Girod
Laurent Petitgirard
Bruno de Keyzer
Geneviève Winding
Ariel Zeitoun
Department Leadership Roster
Francis Girod
Director
Georges Conchon
Writer
Ariel Zeitoun
Producer
Francis Girod
Writer
Geneviève Winding
Editor
Jacques Bufnoir
Production Design
Yvonne Sassinot de Nesle
Costume Design
Bruno de Keyzer
Director of Photography
Laurent Petitgirard
Original Music Composer
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Elegant Criminal.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Elegant Criminal
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Elegant Criminal about?
On 9 January 1836, Pierre Lacenaire goes to the guillotine, a murderer and a thief. He gives Allard, a police inspector, his life story, written while awaiting execution. He also asks Allard to care for Hermine, a lass to whom he has been guardian for more than ten years. In flashbacks, from the prison as Lacenaire writes, from Allard's study as he and Hermine read, and from other readers' memory after the book is published, we see Lacenaire's childhood as he stands up to bullies, including priests, his youthful thieving, his first murder, his brief army career, his seduction of a princess, and his affair with Avril, a young man who dies beside him.
Who directed The Elegant Criminal?
The Elegant Criminal was directed by Francis Girod.
Who stars in The Elegant Criminal?
The principal cast of The Elegant Criminal includes Daniel Auteuil, Jean Poiret, Jacques Weber, François Périer, Geneviève Casile.
When was The Elegant Criminal released and how long is it?
The Elegant Criminal was released in 1990 with a total runtime of 2h 5m.
Who composed the musical score for The Elegant Criminal?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Elegant Criminal was composed by Laurent Petitgirard.




















