The Devil Probably (Le diable probablement) (1977)

78% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
77% of users liked it
(738 ratings)

In order to be technically free of the mortal sin of suicide, a young man who has given up on the world pays a drug-addict to shoot him. Charles (Antoine Monnier), who is a student, has tried political action and investigated the claims of religion but ultimately finds nothing which will change the… More In order to be technically free of the mortal sin of suicide, a young man who has given up on the world pays a drug-addict to shoot him. Charles (Antoine Monnier), who is a student, has tried political action and investigated the claims of religion but ultimately finds nothing which will change the overwhelming bleakness he feels surrounded by. In this austere movie by director Robert Bresson, the power of the storytelling comes from the lucidity of the imagery captured on film, rather than in the acting. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Robert Bresson
Written By: Robert Bresson
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Sep 29, 1977 Wide
On DVD: Mar 18, 1997

Critic Reviews

Caryn James, New York Times
No other director I can think of has come as close as Bresson to molding his players into what are, in effect, variations on a continuing personality, much the way a painter might.
Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out New York
Hold on to something, Bresson implies, or you may fall in love with boredom itself. See it for the mood.
Anton Bitel, Film4
bears all the hallmarks of Bresson's celebrated restraint, but it also shows its age, so failing to engage that, like its protagonist, you too will (probably) find yourself just wanting it to end.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Another rigorous -- and unusually watchable -- exercise in cinematic discipline by Bresson, the master of the minimal.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Bresson's most overtly political film.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
If nothing else, there's plenty of conviction in the telling of the grim story.
Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle
I fear the movie has not aged well.

Read all 7 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Walter M

In "The Devil Probably," the cause of death of a young man is upgraded from suicide to murder. Six months previously, apparently tired of watching films of cute baby seals being clubbed to death, Alberte(Tina Irissari) leaves Michel(Henri de Maublanc) for Charles(Antoine… More
In "The Devil Probably," the cause of death of a young man is upgraded from suicide to murder. Six months previously, apparently tired of watching films of cute baby seals being clubbed to death, Alberte(Tina Irissari) leaves Michel(Henri de Maublanc) for Charles(Antoine Monnier), despite the latter's lack of a fixed abode, thus risking her relationship with her parents. That's even though Charles is carrying on with Edwige(Laetitia Carcano) who is having other affairs of her own. "The Devil Probably" does not have a plot in any conventional sense of the word. Rather, it is concerned with some issues that are still relevant to the youth of today, such as the poisoning of the environment. Luckily, nuclear armageddon is no longer such a nightmarish possibility while nuclear waste is still on the table. In this world of possibly no future where religion's influence is on the wane, at least Michael is putting up a fight while Charles just goes around in circles. None of that excuses the flat line readings, especially considering the momentous decisions at stake.
Dimitris S

Let's be honest,few movies have grappled youth's troublesome occasions and personal scales.What forms this veil of coughing smoke is our social filth,the end of it all.Albert puts it in greater holocaust: "revolution will seize to exist".As is revolution ever… More
Let's be honest,few movies have grappled youth's troublesome occasions and personal scales.What forms this veil of coughing smoke is our social filth,the end of it all.Albert puts it in greater holocaust: "revolution will seize to exist".As is revolution ever occurred in the first place....

Cast

Antoine Monnier
as Charles
Tina Irissari
as Alberte
Laetita Carcano
as Edwige

Regis Hanrion
as Dr. Mime

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!

Discover movies your friends are watching
Keep track of what you want to see
Add your reviews to your Timeline

Get Started

The Devil Probably (Le diable probablement) (1977)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Walter M

Dimitris S

Cast

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!