Christine (1958 film)

Synopsis

In 1906 Vienna, a young lieutenant Franz (Alain Delon) has an affair with a married baroness, Lena, but decides to put an end to it when he meets Christine (Romy Schneider), a musician's daughter.

Christine is almost engaged to a composer, Binder. But she falls in love with Franz. Franz breaks it off with Lena but Lena's husband, the Baron Eggesdorf, has discovered about the affair.

While Christine and Franz plan their marriage the Baron challenges Franz to a duel. Franz is killed in the duel. Christine commits suicide.

Cast

Production

Charles Spaak was reported as working on the screenplay.

At the time of filming, Schneider was one of the most popular stars in Europe, having enjoyed success starring in romances. Christine was an attempt to duplicate this, being aimed more at the French market.

Delon had only just begun his career when he was cast. He and Schneider began a romantic affair that continued on and off for a number of years.

Reception

The film was the seventeenth most popular film at the French box office in 1958. Before it was The Ten Commandments, Les Miserables, The Cranes Are Flying, Sissi – Fateful Years of an Empress, Young Sinners, Mon Oncle, The Young Lions, Girl and the River, The Possessors, The Law Is the Law, Sans famille, The Vikings, In Case of Adversity, Maigret Sets a Trap, La Chatte, and The Mirror Has Two Faces.