Head Against the Wall
La Tête contre les murs
Synopsis
An aimless young man is committed to a psychiatric hospital by his father in an attempt to cure him of his delinquent tendencies.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Radiance Trailer [Subtitled]Official
Type: Trailer • Published 2026-06-11
Top Cast
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Jean-Pierre Mocky
François Gérane
Pierre Brasseur
Dr. Varmont
Paul Meurisse
Dr. Emery
Charles Aznavour
Heurtevent
Anouk Aimée
Stéphanie
Jean Galland
Maître Gérane
Jean Ozenne
Count Elzéar de Chambrelle
Thomy Bourdelle
Colonel Donnadieu
Rudy Lenoir
The hidden man
Roger Legris
Decauville, the driver
Henri San Juan
The pool owner
Édith Scob
The singing mad
Max Montavon
Internee in the refectory
René Alié
Luc Andrieux
Nurse
Doudou Babet
The black man
Claude Badolle
Claude Castaing
Release History & Theatrical Window
Athens Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
April 4, 1959
Wide Cinema Exhibition
March 4, 2009
Physical Home Media
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Georges Franju
- Screenplay & Story
- Hervé Bazin, Georges Franju, Jean-Pierre Mocky
- Original Score
- Maurice Jarre
- Original Title
- La Tête contre les murs
- Country of Origin
- France
- Spoken Languages
- French
- Runtime
- 1h 35m
- Production Studios
- La Société des Films Sirius, ATICA
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Georges Franju
Hervé Bazin, Georges Franju, Jean-Pierre Mocky
Maurice Jarre
Eugen Schüfftan
Suzanne Sandberg
Jérôme Goulven
Department Leadership Roster
Hervé Bazin
Writer
Georges Franju
Director
Jérôme Goulven
Producer
Maurice Jarre
Original Music Composer
Suzanne Sandberg
Editor
Eugen Schüfftan
Director of Photography
Louis Le Barbenchon
Production Design
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Head Against the Wall.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Head Against the Wall.
French New Wave
Nouvelle Vague films, 1958 to 1973, by the movement's directors.
Radiance Films
Films released by Radiance Films, built from the label's store catalogue. Refreshed 2026-09-08.
Radiance Films
Films released by Radiance Films, built from the label's store catalogue.
Eureka!'s The Masters of Cinema Series
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Frequently Asked Questions About Head Against the Wall
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Head Against the Wall about?
An aimless young man is committed to a psychiatric hospital by his father in an attempt to cure him of his delinquent tendencies.
Who directed Head Against the Wall?
Head Against the Wall was directed by Georges Franju.
Who stars in Head Against the Wall?
The principal cast of Head Against the Wall includes Jean-Pierre Mocky, Pierre Brasseur, Paul Meurisse, Charles Aznavour, Anouk Aimée.
When was Head Against the Wall released and how long is it?
Head Against the Wall was released in 1959 with a total runtime of 1h 35m.
Who composed the musical score for Head Against the Wall?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Head Against the Wall was composed by Maurice Jarre.