René Clément was one of the leading French directors of the post-World War II era. He directed what are regarded as some of the greatest films of the time, such as La bataille du rail (1946), Jeux interdits (1952) and Le jour et l'heure (1963). He was later almost forgotten as a director. He was back in public attention briefly when his epic Paris brûle-t-il? (1966) (with an all-star cast of famous actors) was released in 1966, but it was much criticized.
During the 1960s and 1970s Clement directed a number of unnoticed international productions, always with his usual brio and technical virtuosity. Indeed, what characterizes most of his films is how, even to serve sometimes very unexceptional scripts, the directing is always breathtakingly original, inventive, featuring technical virtuosity and the use of special effects. When a remarkable script is associated with these qualities, a film such as Jeux interdits (1952) is the result: the masterpiece of a lifetime. I think we can say that René Clément was one of the most unlucky talented filmmakers who existed, but unfortunate career choices damaged his legacy.
He died in March 1996.
