The Earrings of Madame de…

The Earrings of Madame de…

Year: 1953

Runtime: 105 mins

Language: French

Director: Max Ophüls

DramaRomanceMoving relationship storiesPassion and romanceCaptivating relationships and charming romance

Her vanity leads to ruin. In fin‑de‑siècle France, Countess Louise, married to a wealthy general, covertly sells the wedding‑day earrings he gifted her to cover secret debts and then pretends they are lost, hoping to maintain appearances. When her husband uncovers the fraud, a cascade of tragic misunderstandings erupts, pulling in the earrings, the general, Louise, and her new lover, the charismatic and scheming Italian baron Donati.

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Timeline & Setting – The Earrings of Madame de… (1953)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Earrings of Madame de… (1953). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 19th to early 20th century

The movie takes place during the Belle Époque era, a period characterized by peace, prosperity, and cultural flourishing in France and Europe. This time frame includes social and political stability, artistic innovation, and aristocratic lifestyles, reflected in the characters' fashion and setting.

Location

Belle Époque Paris, Constantinople, Italian lake district

The film is set against the romantic backdrop of Belle Époque Paris, known for its culture and elegance. It also moves to exotic Constantinople, a city rich in history and East-West cultural exchange. Additionally, scenes in the Italian lake district evoke a serene, picturesque landscape, highlighting a period of leisure and beauty.

🌆 City 🌊 Water 🕌 Exotic

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:02

Main Characters – The Earrings of Madame de… (1953)

Meet the key characters of The Earrings of Madame de… (1953), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Louise (Danielle Darrieux)

A wealthy, superficial woman trapped by her lifestyle and debts, Louise is emotionally complex. Her love for Donati conflicts with her social obligations, leading her to deception and deep sorrow. She displays vulnerability beneath her outward elegance.

💃 Aristocrat 💔 Romantic 😓 Tragic

André (Charles Boyer)

A count and general, André is composed and proud, yet emotionally distant from Louise. His actions reveal a sense of honor and protectiveness, especially in his ultimate sacrifice during the duel. His love is intertwined with societal duty.

👑 Noble 🛡️ Honor ⚔️ Possessive

Fabrizio Donati (Vittorio De Sica)

An Italian diplomat, Fabrizio is passionate and sincere. His infatuation with Louise introduces a theme of forbidden love, and his emotional turmoil underscores his sincerity and heartbreak.

🌍 Diplomat ❤️ Devoted 😢 Heartbroken

Lola (Lia Di Leo)

A flirtatious mistress, Lola's character is marked by her playfulness and casual attitude towards relationships. She unwittingly becomes a link in the earrings’ chain of events.

💃 Seductive 💸 Materialistic 😏 Flirt

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:02

Major Themes – The Earrings of Madame de… (1953)

Explore the central themes of The Earrings of Madame de… (1953), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Love & Jealousy

The film explores complex emotions of love, fidelity, and jealousy among aristocratic characters. Louise's secret love for Donati and André's suspicion create emotional conflict, examining how love can be intertwined with possession and societal expectations.

🎭 Deception & Sacrifice

Deception plays a central role, with Louise's secret sales and false pretenses about the earrings. Characters face moral dilemmas, with sacrifices made—such as Louise donating the earrings and André risking a duel—highlighting themes of honor, regret, and the cost of deception.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:02

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The Earrings of Madame de… Summary

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The Earrings of Madame de… Timeline

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The Earrings of Madame de… Timeline

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