Le Plaisir (1952) in Color — Starring Claude Dauphin & Gaby Morlay

Le Plaisir (1952) — Buy This Classic in Color

Discover Le Plaisir, the 1952 anthology film directed by Max Ophüls and starring Jean Gabin, now available as a professionally colorized version. This captivating film presents three stories about pleasure, each exploring different aspects of human desire and experience. The first story is about a man hiding his age behind a mask to keep going to balls and fancying women — pleasure and youth. Then comes the long tale of Mme Tellier taking her girls (whores) to the country for attending her niece’s communion — pleasure and purity. And lastly, Jean the painter falling in love with his model — pleasure and death. Based on stories by Guy de Maupassant, the film offers a sophisticated exploration of the complexities of human pleasure. Own this classic movie in color as a DRM-free MP4 digital download for just €15.00.

Plot Summary

Le Plaisir presents three distinct stories about pleasure, each offering a different perspective on human desire and experience. In the first story, a man hides his age behind a mask to continue attending balls and fancying women, exploring the pleasure of youth and the fear of aging. The mask becomes a symbol of his desire to maintain his youth and the pleasures associated with it, even as time inevitably passes.

The second story follows Mme Tellier, who takes her girls — women who work in her brothel — to the country to attend her niece’s communion. This tale explores the contrast between pleasure and purity, as the women leave their urban world of carnal pleasure to participate in a rural religious ceremony. The juxtaposition of these two worlds — the brothel and the church — creates a rich exploration of the complexity of human nature and the different forms that pleasure can take.

The third story tells of Jean, a painter who falls in love with his model. This tale explores pleasure and death, as Jean’s passionate love for his model is intertwined with mortality and the transience of beauty. The story delves into the relationship between artistic creation, romantic love, and the awareness of death that gives both their urgency and meaning.

Cast & Crew

Director: Max Ophüls

Stars: Jean Gabin, Danielle Darrieux, Simone Simon, Claude Dauphin, Ginette Leclerc

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

Le Plaisir was originally filmed in black and white, with cinematography that captured the elegance and sophistication of the film’s various settings — from the opulent ballrooms to the rustic countryside to the artist’s studio. This professionally colorized restoration enhances every scene with frame-by-frame precision, revealing new visual splendor in the period costumes, the luxurious ballrooms, the charming French countryside, and the atmospheric artist’s studio. The colorized version adds richness to the film’s exploration of pleasure, with vibrant colors in the ballroom scenes contrasting with the muted tones of the countryside and the dramatic lighting of the artist’s studio. Jean Gabin’s legendary screen presence gains additional dimension in color, while the film’s sophisticated visual storytelling is enhanced by the careful use of color and light. Now also available in colour.

Buy Le Plaisir in color today for just €15.00. Your DRM-free MP4 download is available for instant access.

Historical Significance

Released in 1952, Le Plaisir represents the pinnacle of French anthology cinema and the sophisticated exploration of human desire in post-war European film. Director Max Ophüls was renowned for his elegant visual style and his ability to create complex, layered narratives that explored the psychological depths of his characters. Le Plaisir continues this tradition, using the anthology format to examine different facets of human pleasure with subtlety and sophistication.

The film is based on stories by Guy de Maupassant, the 19th-century French master of the short story known for his incisive observations of human nature and his exploration of desire, class, and morality. Ophüls’ adaptation brings Maupassant’s stories to life with cinematic elegance, preserving the author’s psychological insight while adding visual richness and narrative complexity.

The film’s exploration of pleasure — in its many forms — reflects the post-war European fascination with the complexities of human desire after the austerity and sacrifice of the war years. The anthology format allows the film to examine pleasure from multiple perspectives, suggesting that human desire is too complex to be reduced to a single definition. Through modern colorization, this sophisticated film reaches new audiences who can appreciate its elegant visual style, its psychological depth, and its timeless exploration of the many forms that pleasure can take. Now also available en couleur.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 / MKV digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Professionally colorized from original black and white
• Audio: French original mono
• Runtime: 102 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — watch on any device
• Instant download: Available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Who directed Le Plaisir?
A: The film was directed by Max Ophüls, a renowned director known for his elegant visual style and sophisticated exploration of human psychology and desire.

Q: What is the structure of Le Plaisir?
A: The film is an anthology presenting three stories about pleasure: a man hiding his age behind a mask, Mme Tellier taking her girls to the countryside, and a painter falling in love with his model.

Q: Who stars in Le Plaisir?
A: Jean Gabin stars in the film, with supporting performances by Danielle Darrieux, Simone Simon, Claude Dauphin, and Ginette Leclerc.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as MP4 and MKV files that play on virtually any device.

Q: Is there DRM on the file?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free so you can watch it on any device without restrictions.

Q: How quickly can I watch after purchase?
A: Your download link is available instantly after payment, so you can start watching within minutes.

Related Colorized Classics

• Is Paris Burning? (1966)
• Conquest (1937)
• Rose Marie (1936)
• A Face in the Crowd (1957)
• Antoine and Colette (1962)