The Golden Coach (Le Carrosse d'or) (1952)

100% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
77% of users liked it
(655 ratings)

Set in 18th-century South America, The Golden Coach (Le Carrosse D'Or) stars Anna Magnani as an earthy Commedia Del Arte performer. Magnani is lusted after by diplomat Duncan Lamont, who leaves both his job and his mistress to pursue the sexy actress. Also vying for Magnani's favors are a… More Set in 18th-century South America, The Golden Coach (Le Carrosse D'Or) stars Anna Magnani as an earthy Commedia Del Arte performer. Magnani is lusted after by diplomat Duncan Lamont, who leaves both his job and his mistress to pursue the sexy actress. Also vying for Magnani's favors are a bullfighter and a nobleman. Magnani tries to avert bloodshed by giving away the Golden Coach that had been bestowed upon her by the expansive Lamont. When director Jean Renoir was asked if he intended The Golden Coach to be Pirandellian, what with its linking of reality and theatricality, Renoir responded that his intention was to establish that "life is life and the stage is the stage." Maybe so, but the film's brilliant Technicolor and superb performances easily transcend that mundane entity known as Real Life. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: Jean Renoir
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 27, 1953 Wide

Critic Reviews

Bosley Crowther, New York Times
What the whole thing comes down to is a stunningly colorful show, in the middle of which looms Miss Magnani.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Essential viewing.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's an escapist theatrical comedy.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
This superbly crafted masterpiece about life and art, with a charismatic performance from the great Anna Magnani as a temperamental actress, was made by Jean Renoir after returning to France from a decade in the U.S. and filming The River in India.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The Golden Coach is Jean Renoir's invitation to sit back and enjoy the colorful, romantic, humorous spectacle that is real life.
Mark Bourne, DVDJournal.com
What we take away from The Golden Coach are its sumptuous look and the sense that a master director is opening up to us with some long-standing passions.
, Time Out
Exquisitely shot by Claude Renoir, this is one of the great colour films.
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Dazzling, joyful, beautiful, graceful
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
a heavily affected film, one that announces its thematic connection between the world on stage and the real world through its dazzling visual scheme
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
One of his greatest achievements.
Jake Euker, Filmcritic.com
The Golden Coach, despite its preoccupation with the stage, is a distinctly cinematic experience.
Richard Luck, Film4
A minor masterpiece from a major artist.