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Poster for Elevator to the Gallows

Elevator to the Gallows

Seen it?

1958 | 92 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (93% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for crime-drama fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved The Killing or Bullitt, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Tense, dark and gritty.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 32 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1958: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

A self-assured businessman murders his employer, husband of his mistress, which unintentionally provokes an ill-fated chain of events.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 94 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.6 out of 10

  • AwardsWeak

    1 win and 0 nominations from smaller awards and festivals

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $263K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 76K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Louis Malle

  • Jeanne MoreauFlorence Carala
  • Maurice RonetJulien Tavernier
  • Georges PoujoulyLouis
  • Yori BertinVéronique
  • Jean WallSimon Carala
  • Elga AndersenFrieda Bencker
  • Sylviane AisensteinYvonne, la Fille du Bar
  • Micheline BonaGeneviève
  • Gisèle GrandpréJacqueline Mauclair
  • Jacqueline StaupAnna