Le Couteau dans la plaie (Five Miles to Midnight) (1962)

64% of users liked it
(92 ratings)

This tragic and suspenseful tale of domestic abuse concerns a couple who have drifted far from the intent of their marriage vows. Bob (Anthony Perkins) is a former soldier who met Lisa (Sophia Loren) when she was a poor girl living in Italy. After they marry, they take up residence in Paris where… More This tragic and suspenseful tale of domestic abuse concerns a couple who have drifted far from the intent of their marriage vows. Bob (Anthony Perkins) is a former soldier who met Lisa (Sophia Loren) when she was a poor girl living in Italy. After they marry, they take up residence in Paris where Lisa holds down a job and Bob is always going to the next job interview -- that ultimately yields nothing. The sniveling weasel slaps his wife around, endearing himself to no one. As he is leaving for an interview, Lisa tells him at the airport that she's had enough and it's over. The plane crashes, but bad-boy Bob is the lone survivor and returns to his long-suffering wife. He promises he will leave her for good once the life-insurance claim is processed. Her slap-happy spouse then decides when the money comes in, he will have her arrested and charged with insurance fraud. Meanwhile, Lisa has fallen for David (Gig Young). When Bob forces her to drive him out of the country, Lisa plans to drive Bob out of her life for good. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: Anatole Litvak
Written By: Peter Viertel, Hugh Wheeler
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Classics

In Theaters: Dec 12, 1962 Wide

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The tawdry atmospheric "insurance fraud film" crashes along with its plane crash vics.

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

I was pleasantly surprised by this movie, it stars two of my favourite actors, and the story is really cool. It's dramatic, suspenseful, and exciting, but also funny. I highly recommend it.