The Earrings of Madame De ...

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The Earrings of Madame De ...

1954

1h 45m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

35 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

This film follows a pair of earrings as they change hands during a series of betrayals and romances. A French general (Charles Boyer) presents his wife with the pricey jewelry, but she is forced to sell the earrings after she runs into financial trouble. When the general sees them in a shop, he secretly purchases them back for a woman he is having an affair with. Then, after a gambling loss, she pawns them, and an Italian aristocrat (Vittorio De Sica) buys them for a special Frenchwoman.

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Critics Consensus

Ophüls' graceful camerawork and visual portrayal of luxury and loss make Earrings a powerful French drama.

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Jean Yothers

Orlando Sentinel

Oct 8, 2021

The love story is movingly tender, interspersed with appealing humor. The suspense built up through complications over a pair of earrings is engrossing.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Feb 14, 2013

5/5

A superb film and a matchless trio of performances.

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Ben Kenigsberg

Time Out

Nov 17, 2011

4/5

Slighter and more emotionally distant than Ophls's masterpiece 'Letter from an Unknown Woman', but filled with a similar mood of romantic despair and desperation.

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Pauline Kael

Kulchur

Sep 11, 2023

The virtuosity of his camera technique enables [Ophuls] to present complex, many-layered material so fast that we may be charmed and dazzled by his audacity and hardly aware of how much he is telling us.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Mar 2, 2019

1.5/4

...a lifeless, all-too-theatrical period piece that's hardly able to engender the lush, romantic vibe that Ophuls is clearly striving for.

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Austin Trunick

Under the Radar

Sep 8, 2014

7.5/10

Max Ophls' French 1953 production is widely regarded as one of the German-born director's best, and Criterion's presentation lives up to that reputation.

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Henry D

@Henry_Domke Jun 15, 2026

The repeated twists and turns involving a single pair of earrings were absurd, but also rather fun. What gave the movie its real pleasure for us was the elegant staging and the beautiful filming of the opulent sets and costumes. The story may be a little contrived, but the style, atmosphere, and visual richness made it very enjoyable.

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Len B

@RT61089681 Aug 20, 2025

One of the most boring films I have ever seem. Boring cardboard cutout characters, pathetic unbelievable acting. How anyone can recommend this film I have no idea. The sets were attractive at times.

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Alain E

@AlainE Aug 15, 2025

I would not characterize it as a masterpiece. At times boring, this is a story of a married woman unable to commit to her husband or a potential lover. I was not aware that De Sica was an actor before he started directing, so for me it was an educational experience.

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Leaburn O

@RT35452347 Jun 9, 2024

Drags. No idea why it’s regarded a classic. The best bit was the ending. Watched on DVD.

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Alec B

@Alec97 Jan 5, 2024

Yes the tracking shots are beautiful but its the pure simplicity of the tragedy that is truly staggering here. Every moment falls into place perfectly.

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Thomas V

@TomVee Feb 3, 2023

Visually sumptuous, funny and thoroughly enjoyable. Ophuls is a stylist first and foremost, but this film has heart. And the dance montage sequence is brilliant.

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Max Ophuls

Director

Charles Boyer

Général André De

Danielle Darrieux

Comtesse Louise de

Vittorio De Sica

Baron Fabrizio Donati

Jean Debucourt

Monsieur Rémy

Jean Galland

Monsieur de Bernac

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Synopsis

This film follows a pair of earrings as they change hands during a series of betrayals and romances. A French general (Charles Boyer) presents his wife with the pricey jewelry, but she is forced to sell the earrings after she runs into financial trouble. When the general sees them in a shop, he secretly purchases them back for a woman he is having an affair with. Then, after a gambling loss, she pawns them, and an Italian aristocrat (Vittorio De Sica) buys them for a special Frenchwoman.

Director: Max Ophuls
Producer: Ralph Baum
Screenwriter: Max Ophuls, Annette Wademant, Marcel Achard
Distributor: Criterion Collection
Production Co: Franco London Films
Genre: Drama
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 19, 1954, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 17, 2017
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Mono

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