Mademoiselle

Mademoiselle

Year: 1966

Runtime: 105 mins

Language: English

Director: Tony Richardson

Drama

A sexually repressed school teacher releases her pent up passions in a series of shocking crimes.

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Timeline & Setting – Mademoiselle (1966)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Mademoiselle (1966). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

France, small farming village

Set in a quiet rural area of France, the action unfolds in a compact farming village surrounded by fields and barns. The close-knit community's routines and norms foster rumor and suspicion when outsiders arrive. The bucolic countryside provides a tranquil backdrop that contrasts with the creeping tension as fires and a flood threaten the village.

❄️ Rural 🏘️ Village 🎭 Drama

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:35

Main Characters – Mademoiselle (1966)

Meet the key characters of Mademoiselle (1966), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Mademoiselle (Jeanne Moreau)

An elegant newcomer who is admired for her refined exterior but harbors a dangerous, repressed sexuality. She meticulously plans and executes actions—fires and a flood—to draw Manou's attention, all while maintaining a façade of impeccable character. Behind closed doors she indulges in city fashion and outfits, revealing a sociopathic thrill for manipulating others. Her crimes are driven by a desperate need to possess and control the object of her desire.

❄️ Psychological 🎭 Drama 😈 Manipulative

Manou (Ettore Manni)

A hardworking Italian logger living with his son Bruno, respected by the village for his bravery and generosity. He becomes the target of envy and suspicion from the local men, who overlook his integrity until false rumors spiral out of control. His heroic acts—displayed in flashbacks—contrast with the mob's brutality as violence closes in on him. Despite the rising danger, he remains dedicated to his son.

❄️ Outsider 🪓 Bravery 🗡️ Suspense

Bruno (Keith Skinner)

Manou's son, observant and cautious, who witnesses the village's escalating tensions. He initially trusts his father but gradually uncovers the truth about Mademoiselle's crimes. Trembling between loyalty and danger, he chooses silence as the community closes ranks. His awareness hints at the moral cost borne by the next generation.

❄️ Witness 🧒 Innocence 🕵️ Knowledge

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:35

Major Themes – Mademoiselle (1966)

Explore the central themes of Mademoiselle (1966), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🤝 Social Dynamics

In the village, gossip, envy, and rigid social codes breed suspicion and scapegoating of the outsider Manou. The townsfolk bond over tradition and a shared sense of propriety, turning on anyone who disrupts the status quo. The film uses these dynamics to explore how a community polices itself through rumor and intimidation.

🔥 Obsession and Destruction

Mademoiselle's restrained sexuality and growing fixation on Manou drive her to orchestrate fires and a flood. Her calculated manipulation reveals a dark pleasure in watching events unfold and controlling the outcome. The disasters serve as a twisted stage for desire and power.

⚖️ Truth and Consequences

Bruno witnesses the truth about his father's innocence and the real culprit, but his outsider status keeps him silent. The villagers react with violent justice, punishing Manou while the true perpetrator remains hidden. The ending underscores moral ambiguity and the heavy cost of hidden crimes.

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:35

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Mademoiselle Summary

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Mademoiselle Summary

Mademoiselle Timeline

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Mademoiselle Timeline

More About Mademoiselle

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