He Died with His Eyes Open

He Died with His Eyes Open
Theatrical release poster
FrenchOn ne meurt que deux fois
Directed byJacques Deray
Screenplay by
Dialogue byMichel Audiard
Based onHe Died with His Eyes Openby Derek Raymond
Produced byJacques Deray
Starring
CinematographyJean Penzer
Edited byHenri Lanoë
Music byClaude Bolling
Productioncompanies
Distributed byUGC Distribution
Release dates
  • 27 August 1985 (1985-08-27) (Montreal)
  • 9 October 1985 (1985-10-09) (France)
Running time
105 minutes
CountryFrance
LanguageFrench
Box office$7.5 million[1]

He Died with His Eyes Open (French: On ne meurt que deux fois, lit.'You Only Die Twice') is a 1985 French neo-noirerotic thriller film directed by Jacques Deray from a screenplay he co-wrote with Michel Audiard, based on the 1984 novel of the same name by Derek Raymond. It stars Michel Serrault and Charlotte Rampling. The film won the César Award for Best Cinematography, while Serrault and Rampling were nominated for Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively.[2]

Plot

Charly Berliner, a pianist, is found dead beside a railway track. The inspector in charge of the investigation, Robert Staniland, arrives at the victim's home to search for clues. As he listens to the tapes recorded by Berliner in which he confesses his love for a mysterious woman named Barbara, the latter turns up unexpectedly and confesses to the crime.

Cast

Production

Principal photography began from 2 January 1985.[3]

Accolades

Award / Film Festival Category Recipients and nominees Result
César AwardsBest ActorMichel SerraultNominated
Best ActressCharlotte RamplingNominated
Best Supporting ActorXavier DelucNominated
Best Original Screenplay or AdaptationMichel Audiard and Jacques DerayNominated
Best CinematographyJean PenzerWon
Best Original MusicClaude BollingNominated
Best EditingHenri Lanoë Nominated
Best Production DesignFrançois de LamotheNominated
Montreal World Film FestivalJury Prize Won

References