Criminel (1933) is a heavy prison drama with a great Harry Baur performance

Criminel isn't exactly a fun weekend watch. It's the kind of movie you put on when you want to feel a bit of that old-school gloom. 📽️

If you like Harry Baur, you should definitely see this. If you hate slow, black-and-white movies where people talk about 'honor' in dark rooms, you’ll probably be bored to tears.

The story is pretty simple. A kid named Robert gets into a fight over a girl at a bar. He hits a guy, the guy dies, and suddenly Robert is a 'criminal.'

Jean Servais plays Robert. He looks so young here, almost like a frightened bird. 🐦

The man who puts him in jail is the prosecutor, played by the legend Harry Baur. Baur has this face that looks like it was carved out of a very grumpy mountain.

Then, in a weird twist of fate, Baur’s character becomes the warden of the prison where Robert is serving time. It’s a bit of a huge coincidence, but movies back then loved that kind of thing.

The prison itself feels very heavy. You can almost smell the damp stone and the cheap tobacco. 🚬

I noticed the sound design is a bit clunky. Sometimes a door slams and it sounds like a gunshot, and other times it’s totally silent.

There is a scene in the prison yard where the inmates are just walking in a big circle. It goes on for a long time. Too long, maybe.

But it really makes you feel how much prison sucks. It’s just endless, boring walking.

Robert falls for the warden's daughter, which is the most 'movie' part of the whole thing. She’s nice enough, but their romance feels a bit rushed.

The real meat of the movie is the code of silence. The prisoners have their own rules, and they don't like snitches.

Harry Baur is the best part of this, honestly. He doesn't even have to say much. He just stands there and you can feel his authority.

He reminds me of his role in Maison de danses, where he also just takes over every scene he is in.

There’s a character named 'The Big Fellow' or something like that. He’s the scary guy who runs the cellblock. He has this one look that actually made me feel nervous for Robert.

The movie gets much better once the riot starts. Everything gets chaotic and the shadows get even darker.

I think the writers were trying to say something about how the law isn't always fair. But they didn't hit you over the head with it too hard.

The ending is pretty abrupt. It just kind of... stops. 🛑

I sat there for a second wondering if I missed a scene. But I think that's just how they did things in 1933.

It’s a bit stiff and the acting can be a bit 'theatrical' at times. People shout their lines like they are trying to reach the back of a theater.

But if you can get past the old-fashioned style, it's a really gripping story. It feels honest in a way modern movies sometimes don't.

The way they handle the 'criminal code' is fascinating. It's all about what you're willing to die for.

Anyway, it's worth a watch on a rainy Tuesday. Just don't expect a happy ending with a bow on top. 🌧️

Random thoughts while watching:

• Why are the prison cells so big? They look like studio apartments.
• Harry Baur’s eyebrows deserve their own acting credit.
• The lighting in the final act is genuinely spooky.
• I’m pretty sure one of the extras in the background was laughing during the 'serious' riot.

Overall, it’s a solid piece of French cinema history. Not a masterpiece, but it’s got spirit.