''Malevil'' is a 1981

post-apocalyptic Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction is a subgenre of speculative fiction in which the Earth's (or another planet's) civilization is collapsing or has collapsed. The apocalypse event may be climatic, such as runaway climate change; ast ...

French film French cinema consists of the film industry and its film productions, whether made within the nation of France or by French film production companies abroad. It is the oldest and largest precursor of national cinemas in Europe; with primary influ ...

directed by

Christian de Chalonge Christian de Chalonge (born 21 January 1937) is a French film director and screenwriter. He directed the 1971 film '' The Wedding Ring'', which starred Anna Karina. Selected filmography * '' The Wedding Ring'' (1971) * '' L'Argent des autres'' ...

. It's the adaptation of the 1972 science fiction novel ''

Malevil ''Malevil'' is a 1972 science fiction novel by French writer Robert Merle. It was adapted into a 1981 film directed by Christian de Chalonge and starring Michel Serrault, Jacques Dutronc, Jacques Villeret and Jean-Louis Trintignant. Plot ...

'' by Robert Merle.

Plot

The film takes place in a small village named "Malevil" within central France. Due to an administrative issue, the mayor, pharmacist, farmers, traders, and other villagers attend a meeting in the local château's large wine cellar on a beautiful sunny day in late summer. However, while the meeting is taking place the radio suddenly cuts out. Moments later, huge explosions occur followed by long and violent flashes. The noise, excessive heat, and moisture cause everyone in the cellar to fall unconscious. The survivors awaken to find a scorched world where almost nothing remains. They embark on a new life faced with isolationism and violence.

Cast

* Michel Serrault : Emmanuel Comte * Jacques Dutronc : Colin *

Jean-Louis Trintignant Jean-Louis Xavier Trintignant (; 11 December 1930 – 17 June 2022) was a French actor. He made his theatrical debut in 1951, and went on to be regarded as one of the best French dramatic actors of the post-war era. He starred in many classic fi ...

: Fulbert *

Jacques Villeret Jacques Villeret (; 6 February 1951 – 28 January 2005) was a French actor, best known internationally for his role as François Pignon in the comedy ''Le Dîner de Cons''. During his career, he earned many awards including the prestigious ...

: Momo *

Robert Dhéry Robert Dhéry (27 April 1921 – 3 December 2004) (born Robert Léon Henri Fourrey or Robert Foullcy) was a French comedian, actor, director and screenwriter. He was married to actor Colette Brosset, with whom he appeared onstage in ''La Plume d ...

: Peyssou *

Hanns Zischler Hanns Zischler (born 18 June 1947) is a German actor known for his portrayal of Hans in Steven Spielberg's film ''Munich''. According to the Internet Movie Database, Zischler has appeared in 171 movies since 1968. He is known in Sweden for his r ...

: le vétérinaire * Pénélope Palmer : Evelyne *

Jean Leuvrais Jean may refer to: People * Jean (female given name) * Jean (male given name) * Jean (surname) Fictional characters * Jean Grey, a Marvel Comics character * Jean Valjean, fictional character in novel ''Les Misérables'' and its adaptations * Jea ...

: Bouvreuil * Emilie Lihou : La Menou *

Jacqueline Parent Jacqueline Parent is a French actress. In 1980 she starred in ''Le Voyage en douce'' directed by Michel Deville. Selected filmography *'' The Big Night'' (1976) *''The Police War'' (1979) *''Le Voyage en douce'' (1980) *''Malevil ''Malevil' ...

: Cathy *

Eduard Linkers Eduard Linkers (11 October 1912 – 3 April 2004) was an Austrian actor. He appeared in more than 70 films between 1936 and 1988. Life He was born as Eduard Linker to a family of Jewish descent in Czernowitz, Austria-Hungary. He studied act ...

: Fabrelatre * Marianik Revillon : Emma *

Guy Saint-Jean Guy or GUY may refer to: Personal names * Guy (given name) * Guy (surname) * That Guy (...), the New Zealand street performer Leigh Hart Places * Guy, Alberta, a Canadian hamlet * Guy, Arkansas, US, a city * Guy, Indiana, US, an unincor ...

: un gendarme * Bernard Waver : un gendarme * Reine Bartève : Judith *

Michel Berto Michel Berto (; 25 December 1939 in Grenoble – 2 January 1996 in Paris) was a French actor. He was married to the actresses Juliet Berto and Marie Berto. His body was found on 3 January 1996, hence the exact date of his death is uncertai ...

: Bébé007

Production

The screenplay is based on the 1972 novel ''

'' by

French science fiction French science fiction is a substantial genre of French literature. It remains an active and productive genre which has evolved in conjunction with anglophone science fiction and other French and international literature. History Proto science ...

writer Robert Merle. Despite using the book's characters, the plot deviates almost entirely from the book. A different ending was also used in the film. Merle, who believed that the spirit of his novel had been misrepresented, asked for his name to be not mentioned in the credits. Instead, the film states the film was only inspired by the novel ''Malevil'' (French:''inspiré librement du roman Malevil'').

External links

Malevil
' at the

Internet Movie Database IMDb (an abbreviation of Internet Movie Database) is an online database of information related to films, television series, home videos, video games, and streaming content online – including cast, production crew and personal biographies, ...

1981 films 1980s science fiction drama films Films scored by Gabriel Yared Films directed by Christian de Chalonge Films set in France French post-apocalyptic films French science fiction drama films 1981 drama films 1980s French-language films 1980s French films {{1980s-sf-film-stub