The Elegant Criminal
1990, French. Directed by Francis Girod.
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.
- Runtime
- 2h 5m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- French
- Rated
- Check local
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Where to watch The Elegant Criminal
The Elegant Criminal isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 19 December 1990.
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Cast & crew
- Francis GirodDirector
- Daniel AuteuilPierre-François Lacenaire
- Jean PoiretAllard
- Jacques WeberJacques Arago
- François PérierLacenaire's father
- Geneviève CasileLacenaire's mother
- Jean DavyAlphonse Damoiseau
- Jacques DubyMarmignat
- Paul Le PersonVigouroux
- MaïwennHermine
- Jacques SereysPertuizet
- RufusCanler
- Gérard DesartheProfessor Tonnelier
Details
- Released
- 19 December 1990
- Original title
- Lacenaire
- Country
- France
- Written by
- Francis Girod, Georges Conchon
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News & fan talk
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The Elegant Criminal: quick answers
Is The Elegant Criminal worth watching?
The Elegant Criminal doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is The Elegant Criminal?
The Elegant Criminal runs 125 minutes (2h 5m).
Does The Elegant Criminal have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for The Elegant Criminal. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
The Elegant Criminal parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for The Elegant Criminal yet.
Which OTT platform is The Elegant Criminal on?
The Elegant Criminal isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 19 December 1990. (Checked 10 November 2026.)
What movies are like The Elegant Criminal?
If you liked The Elegant Criminal, try All Day and a Night, Élisa, O.G..
Who directed The Elegant Criminal?
The Elegant Criminal (1990) was directed by Francis Girod and stars Daniel Auteuil, Jean Poiret, Jacques Weber.