Of course it is not one of Cayatte's best film like _Justice est faite (1950)_(qv) or _Avant le déluge (1954)_(qv), but it is for sure a very gripping story served by a Gabin equal to himself - even though we are used to see him in this kind of role; and a very hard, yet vulnerable Sophia Loren in one of her last meaty roles (with the exception of the brilliant _Una giornata particolare (1977)_(qv)). Cayatte was in the second half of his career by then and was able to do this film with a top-notch cast after the immense success of his unforgettable _Mourir d'aimer (1971)_(qv)) about the "Gabrielle Russier case". Once more Cayatte shows the flaws in the judicial system very well as he has done in the past. A film to rediscover if you have not seen it before, you will be kept on the edge of your sit. If you have, you will take pleasure in seeing two of the best actors in the history of cinema playing together for the first and last time.
