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Elevator to the Gallows
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Elevator to the Gallows

1958
Drama
Suspense/Thriller
1h 31m
Florence Carala and her lover Julien Tavernier, an ex - paratrooper want to murder her husband by faking a suicide. But after Julien has killed him and he puts his things in his car, he finds he has forgotten the rope outside the window and he returns to the building to remove it... (imdb)
Directed by:
Louis Malle Louis Malle
Written by:
Louis Malle Louis Malle Noël Calef
+1 more
Starring:
Jeanne Moreau Jeanne Moreau Maurice Ronet Maurice Ronet Georges Poujouly Georges Poujouly Yori Bertin Jean Wall Jean Wall Elga Andersen Jean-Claude Brialy Jean-Claude Brialy Lino Ventura Lino Ventura Hubert Deschamps Charles Denner Charles Denner
More
Genres:
Drama, Suspense/Thriller, Crime
AKAs:
Ascenseur pour l'échafaud, Frantic, Lift to the Scaffold
Country:
France
Languages:
French, German
imdb More information at IMDb
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Elevator to the Gallows

1958
Drama
Suspense/Thriller
1h 31m
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Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 71% from 1149 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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nobambanobamba
Rated 31 Dec 2018
75
83rd
I'm not a master filmmaker, so the ending was surprising to me in how simple everything wrapped itself up. I would have ended it with Tavernier making a miraculous escape only to find himself arrested for a crime he didn't commit, while the young couple commit suicide with sleeping pills only to have been able to escaped scot free.
Rated 31 Dec 2018
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 21 May 2008
88
90th
A suspense worthy of Hitchcock with a liberal sprinkling of French New Wave and some noir atmosphere. It's a little thin in a few places but on the whole it has a compelling story, a well crafted mood and some decent little twists.
Rated 21 May 2008
eveeluneveelun
Rated 21 Jul 2007
60
22nd
Usually I like Malle, but I was really disappointed in this one. The film depends on creating a tense atmosphere, but since all the characters are unlikeable (that is, not only are they bad people, they're not very intelligent or interesting either), it just seems painful. It doesn't help that the whole thing feels too contrived and so by the end very little of what happened seemed to resolve itself in a satisfying way.
Rated 21 Jul 2007
pigletPiglet
Rated 20 Sep 2010
65
41st
Only decent parts are Jeanne Moreau and the Miles Davis soundtrack. Never gets under your skin, and the ending is a total let-down.
Rated 20 Sep 2010
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 05 Apr 2015
90
83rd
There is much to recommend it: superb noir photography, a passion for Bressonian detail and Hitchcock suspense, a reckless "new wave" young couple in a car two years before "Breathless," violence laced with references to Indochina and Algeria (something Americans--after Vietnam and Iraq--can understand), and--above all--the beauty of a young Jean Moreau haunting the rainy streets of Paris, with bedraggled hair and doomed face, to the perfect complement of the meditative trumpet of Miles Davis.
Rated 05 Apr 2015
ceekay19Ceekay19
Rated 15 Oct 2018
70
53rd
Commissaire de police: "Anything's good for an alibi. Wives, girlfriends, bartenders, childhood friends, deceived husbands - but not an elevator. That's ridiculous. It's totally harebrained."
Rated 15 Oct 2018
tonydaltonydal
Rated 22 Dec 2007
70
41st
A bit garfunkelish--like something from an Angst & Anxiety seminar (of course, Louis was only 24). Still, has some good moments (and Miles be wailin' in spots).
Rated 22 Dec 2007
nathan_sNathan S
Rated 28 Sep 2007
3
45th
It takes a bit to get into the swing of things, and at first I had trouble caring about the two sets of lovers. But once all the characters (and murders) start to tie together, it becomes pretty thrilling. Miles Davis's score dominates the atmosphere of the movie. It's a very somber, romantic, and jazzy noir. None of the characters are particularly sympathetic, but the structure and atmosphere of the narrative seems to be the focus, and at that the film succeeds admirably.
Rated 28 Sep 2007
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 18 Oct 2008
88
91st
Scenes of Jeanne Moreau with her haunted, sorrowful face wandering the nighttime streets of Paris to the smoky, silky strains of Miles Davis' trumpet are tailor-made to be instant classics. The film is a thriller, bridging the gap between noir and New Wave, in which fate intervenes at every step. The biggest problem is that the "hero" does some pretty dumb things that help seal his destiny. But the story propels forward smoothly (but not too swiftly), and is satisfying if not terribly deep.
Rated 18 Oct 2008
quintonjaminQuintonjamin
Rated 22 Jan 2022
80
80th
Everything needed to make a great noir film in an hour and a half.
Rated 22 Jan 2022
mandymandy
Rated 11 Aug 2018
6
44th
Enjoyable, atmospheric and well done but not particularly gripping.
Rated 11 Aug 2018
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 29 Apr 2022
50
51st
okay movie
Rated 29 Apr 2022
hehejajahehejaja
Rated 31 Aug 2008
45
16th
Lifeless and "quasi-cool", this first film by Louis Malle failed to impress me. Firm cinematography and a couple of funny lines are the only delightful things in this one. Banal and drab.
Rated 31 Aug 2008
icarusIcarus
Rated 23 Oct 2007
85
79th
Love the atmosphere of this noirish thriller. The Davis score is exquisite, Moreau's striking beauty as she wanders the dark streets of Paris works well against her devious and destructive character, creating a visual tension that only helps the film's narrative.
Rated 23 Oct 2007
scribScrib
Rated 24 Jun 2022
69
45th
It's dark, it's moody, it's tragic, it's French, it's black and white, it's packed with jazz montages and it ends on "Fin". Does it get any more noir than this? Stylish as heck with simplistic and meandering plotting. Then again, it feels like an art piece more than a film. The aesthetic and Miles Davis' improvised soundtrack are what stand out more than any character or plot device. A worthy watch, but some of the parts are considerably greater than the whole.
Rated 24 Jun 2022
sellissellis
Rated 14 Jul 2021
85
75th
Dat score. Excellent cinematography. Sublime ending. Passive story beats in stretches. Jazzy noirish atmosphere.
Rated 14 Jul 2021
damildamil
Rated 06 Dec 2013
75
81st
This is a pretty good old French crime thriller. The story was cool, and had some nice twists and turns. The ending was a little anti-climactic, however. The direction was seriously impressive for a debut film, the editing was clever, and the score by Miles Davis just oozed sophistication. I'd recommend it if you're into Hitchcockian thrillers.
Rated 06 Dec 2013
rufamRufam
Rated 31 May 2013
65
42nd
"Ascenseur pour l'échafaud" is an intriguing but ultimately unremarkable noir crossed with some subdued New Wave elements. The story arc and the structure are clever enough, while Malle's sharp visual style in combination with the jazzy soundtrack definitely creates an interesting atmosphere. Unfortunately, none of the characters appears sympathetic (and the cast, attractive as it may be, delivers lukewarm performances) and the film seems almost entirely devoid of actual thrills.
Rated 31 May 2013
emir_hanEmir Han
Rated 02 Sep 2017
87
82nd
Unpredictability element and suspenseful storyline made this picture pure awesome noir. French folks used to know how to film a good thriller.
Rated 02 Sep 2017
valenzettiValenzetti
Rated 03 Dec 2010
89
84th
Probably best described by Malle, as equally indebted to both Hitchcock and Bresson. Also, love that score; you can hear traces of Kind of Blue waiting in the wings.
Rated 03 Dec 2010
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 25 Dec 2022
81
65th
A decent if unremarkable noir, uplifted by Malle’s applying of neat tricks behind the camera, as well as Davis’ ragged, improvisational score; where these two elements meet and marry (especially during Moreau’s wandering of the city streets) is where the film truly comes to life. Cutting between the two echoing murderers-on-the-lam plots is an interesting idea, but the structuring doesn’t really add to or enhance either plotline and ultimately feels like a trendy conceit than entirely necessary.
Rated 25 Dec 2022
overratedoverrated
Rated 01 Oct 2021
51
50th
The Miles Davis score adds about ten points, otherwise pretty forgettable.
Rated 01 Oct 2021
johnsandwichJohnSandwich
Rated 04 Apr 2020
70
63rd
lil bit of a disappointment. still good, just not as great as i'd imagined/hoped
Rated 04 Apr 2020
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 13 Jan 2012
90
80th
Cool, stylish little thriller with a sexy Miles Davis score (recorded while Louis Malle drank champagne with him, imagine jamming and drinking champagne with Miles Davis) and a suspenseful anti-suspense, if that makes sense. It does in my head.
Rated 13 Jan 2012
petrostserPetrosTser
Rated 18 Jun 2012
80
88th
Suspenseful from the beginning.
Rated 18 Jun 2012
jonnykungfujonnykungfu
Rated 04 Aug 2011
85
86th
An extremely clever little thriller. Went in expecting a dull French New Wave noir tribute along the lines of the shittier "classic" Godard, but ended up being thoroughly entertained by a subdued version of a Hitchcock suspense, though much of the suspense is downplayed. A very enjoyable and unique film that surprised me quite a bit.
Rated 04 Aug 2011
maxmodemaxmode
Rated 30 Mar 2022
65
56th
The script never goes where you'd expect it to go, but that's not a bad thing in this French film noir.
Rated 30 Mar 2022
toddsaltertoddsalter
Rated 27 Feb 2022
89
59th
It's a thriller but my heart rate never went up. And the ending could've been so much more creative and interesting.
Rated 27 Feb 2022
cclzaCCLZA
Rated 28 Sep 2008
75
63rd
Malle's unique style breathes throughout the entire movie in every single frame.
Rated 28 Sep 2008
braddad68braddad68
Rated 27 Jun 2022
100
97th
So glad to get to this French film. I have no criticism. It's excellent in all ways. A perfect crime thriller/drama.
Rated 27 Jun 2022
perrystroikaPerryStroika
Rated 30 Mar 2012
63
53rd
Very stylish suspense film. Great score, wonderful cinematography, and the enigmatic but fascinating presence of Jeanne Moreau, who seems like a Bresson heroine set down in a Hitchcock film, though the elements do not quite cohere. One could almost mistake it for a great film but for an underlying coldness, of a technical contraption, the finger exercises of a master on his way to better things.
Rated 30 Mar 2012
manymoonsmanymoons
Rated 24 Aug 2011
86
87th
Engaging and very well crafted. The soundtrack and camerawork are fantastic!
Rated 24 Aug 2011
rnestrnest
Rated 08 Mar 2016
8
93rd
grows on u
Rated 08 Mar 2016
judo_koalaJudo Koala
Rated 06 Sep 2016
76
61st
Simultaneously one of the last great films of the noir tradition while also being one of the first great antecedents of the Nouvelle Vague, Melle's taut thriller is filmed in such a palpably striking style that uniquely combines classic film noir (that Miles Davis soundtrack...) with Melle's amazing vérité sensibilities. At times tonally & narratively inconsistent, which unfortunately distracts from the incredible atmosphere. Still a gem at the turn of the decade.
Rated 06 Sep 2016
djrossdjross
Rated 18 Sep 2019
65
71st
Stylish little thriller possessing numerous superior elements without being in any way outstanding.
Rated 18 Sep 2019
rthornhillrthornhill
Rated 04 May 2011
91
77th
très cool!! loved the way this one started off and it kept my interest throughout. an impressive debut from malle.......
Rated 04 May 2011
nobletNoblet
Rated 17 Jun 2011
68
44th
It's a tight, competent thriller, but I didn't find it particularly compelling.
Rated 17 Jun 2011
friendo55friendo55
Rated 17 Feb 2012
92
94th
Amazing cinematography and a wonderful score by the great Miles Davis sets the perfect mood for this jazzy French film noir. A very cool movie and one that can be watched over and over.
Rated 17 Feb 2012
timon88Timon88
Rated 18 Aug 2022
86
91st
Malle is one of my favorite directors, and this is a mighty impressive feature debut. But... there isn't much of what I love about Malle's artistry here, apart from the famous sequence of Moreau walking the streets of Paris. A very solidly executed thriller, nonetheless. It doesn't help matters that I find Jeanne Moreau annoying... there's something rather petulant about her that makes watching her with unalloyed pleasure impossible.
Rated 18 Aug 2022
lance20000lance20000
Rated 26 Mar 2020
100
92nd
This was my first non-English speaking noir film. Despite not personally loving this movie, I can't recommend it enough. Malle has successfully merged French sensibilities -- this movie is French New Wave before French New Wave was a thing -- with the gritty American melodrama. Malle's obsession with Parians streets and highways in this movie are striking.
Rated 26 Mar 2020
glm01glm01
Rated 19 Sep 2013
87
91st
86.500
Rated 19 Sep 2013
moraesfelipemoraesfelipe
Rated 06 Jan 2022
75
80th
"Too conventional" in Nouvelle Vague terms to certain cinephile circles, but still pretty good. Moreau wandering in the streets while Miles Davis' score does the job of conveying the right lonely mood looks and sounds beautiful, but there are striking moments almost everywhere you look -- final shots with Moreau's character realizing she and her lover will only age together in pictures, because they are going to jail; generations clashing in the youngster's encounter with the german couple.
Rated 06 Jan 2022
iyisinekiyisinek
Rated 18 Nov 2013
77
76th
Cinayet, patron, asansörde mahsur kalmak, araba çalmak, çifte cinayet, birini aramak , Fotograf makinesi (patronunun karisiyla iliskisi olan adam ustaca bir planla patronunu öldürür. Bu cinayete bir intihar süsü verir. fakat hiç ummadigi bir şey olacak ve adami sikintiya sokacak bir dizi olay baslayacak. - Adam ipi unutur almak için döner asansörde mahsur kalir. Arabasi çalinir. Arabayi çalan iki kişi öldürür. Cinayet üstüne kalir.)
Rated 18 Nov 2013
nathanbatesNathanBates
Rated 10 Mar 2019
80
78th
I put this on my "must watch" list for the Miles Davis soundtrack. I stayed with the movie for its noir/Hitchcockian plot (even with the few holes they left behind). I usually don't like films with "unlikable" characters, but this one won me over.
Rated 10 Mar 2019
driscarpindriscarpin
Rated 01 Aug 2017
92
91st
Ascensor para o cadafalso estreava há 65 anos no México. Considerado por muitos o primeiro filme da Nouvelle Vague, me soa muito mais um filme noir pelo seu fatalismo do que qualquer outra coisa, diz-se também que o male gaze atingiu um novo nível a partir de como se filmava a mulher com os enquadramentos da Moreau, mas o que gosto mesmo é essa nova aura neo-noir nunca prescindindo da femme fatale como epiteto máximo. Box Versátil Nouvelle Vague Volume 2.
Rated 01 Aug 2017
parcalihamparcaliham
Rated 28 Jun 2011
80
64th
28 Haziran 2011 & Bu film, fotografin kaliciliginin melankolisidir. Fotograf, aski gercekten daha diri halde tuturken, diger yandan imkansiz hale getirebiliyor. Film de gucunu ironik olarak buradan aliyor. atmosferini oyunculuklarin da etkisiyle basariyle kuruyor.
Rated 28 Jun 2011
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 02 Dec 2010
20
41st
"Incapable of spreading Moreau's passion and sadness to its crime-thriller narrative." - Nick Schager
Rated 02 Dec 2010
mb9607mb9607
Rated 06 Feb 2014
80
0th
2x
Rated 06 Feb 2014
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 14 Aug 2013
80
95th
Excellent.
Rated 14 Aug 2013
oskarhuoskarhu
Rated 11 Feb 2018
84
91st
The first half an hour is wonderful and the restgood enough to keep the initial intrugue alive. Moreau plays her role really well, and the rest of the cast aren't bad either. Miles Davis smoothens the whole piece.
Rated 11 Feb 2018
mlevandoskimlevandoski
Rated 31 Mar 2011
100
89th
miles davis ost adds incredible mood to the film, the acting is superb. movies like this are rarely seen today.
Rated 31 Mar 2011
doyler29doyler29
Rated 13 Jul 2021
90
87th
Maurice Ronet plans a pretty perfect murder and is complete undone by the chaos of the universe. I love this film.
Rated 13 Jul 2021
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 24 May 2013
60
54th
There is some masterful lighting in this conventional film noir that makes much of it picturesque, a cool bluesy Miles Davis soundtrack, and Lino Ventura can elevate a movie from the gallows even when given a small role, but the material itself is just alright. No more than that.
Rated 24 May 2013
le_mamile mami
Rated 08 Jun 2023
85
89th
Throughout the film, I murmured that it wouldn't be possible to make a film like that today. Its crime story was anti-technology, and in the end, everything was solved thanks to technology. The film was already charming (mostly because of Jeanne Moreau wandering on the streets), and the directing was clever and subtle, but the end convinced me that the story does not have many flaws either.
Rated 08 Jun 2023
nosrenosre
Rated 14 Feb 2007
60
52nd
An early Malle noir, noteworthy for a fantastic Jeanne Moreau performance and a haunting extemporized soundtrack performed by Miles Davis.
Rated 14 Feb 2007
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 18 Jan 2023
73
49th
Moody, noirish French thriller with a convoluted but fairly delightful plot. It didn't quite connect for me on all levels, but it was a fun enough watch. The ending feels a bit wrong, but Moreau gives a pretty haunting performance and you can't go wrong with a Miles Davis score. Disappointing but still pretty good.
Rated 18 Jan 2023
iconogassediconogassed
Rated 23 Mar 2024
75
64th
I remember reading that Ross Macdonald said (or wrote) that the final lines of a mystery novel should send tragic reverberations back through the rest of the story (or something). The final shots of this accomplish that, but the construction still feels a little mechanical, mousetrappy. This is somewhat mitigated by the multisensual pleasures of Moreau's bits, but event those feel calculated in their way. More charitably: resourceful, and along with other elements, audacious for the genre.
Rated 23 Mar 2024
jazzalohaJazzaloha
Rated 01 Nov 2011
64
42nd
Miles Davis sounds good, but I was underwhelmed and a bit disappointed--especially by the visual aspects of the film. (On a completely superficial note, is it me or does Melanie Griffith and Jeanne Moreau look alike?)
Rated 01 Nov 2011

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