The Elegant Criminal (1990): cast, story & where to watch
1990 · Film · ★ 5.8
Released in 1990, The Elegant Criminal is a drama film directed by Francis Girod, running about 125 minutes.
What it’s 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’s in it. The Elegant Criminal stars Daniel Auteuil as Pierre-François Lacenaire, Jean Poiret as Allard, Jacques Weber as Jacques Arago and François Périer as Lacenaire's father, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.8/10, The Elegant Criminal has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Elegant Criminal page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Elegant Criminal tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Elegant Criminal (1990)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Elegant Criminal change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Elegant Criminal worth watching?
- The Elegant Criminal holds an audience score of 5.8 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Elegant Criminal?
- The Elegant Criminal stars Daniel Auteuil, Jean Poiret, Jacques Weber, François Périer and Geneviève Casile.
- When was The Elegant Criminal released?
- The Elegant Criminal was released in 1990, with a runtime of about 125 minutes.