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A Legitimate Defense

1958·Movie
1h 38min

Where to watch

No stream option in US yet.

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

A Legitimate Defense fingerprint

Strong craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Tense

  • Tension7
  • Adrenaline6
  • Fast Pace6

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Melancholy6
  • Pathos5
  • Nostalgia5

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay4
  • Dark Humor4
  • Situational Comedy3

World

History and crime

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability5

Craft

Solid, not remarkable

  • Acting7
  • Narrative Structure7
  • Dialogue Quality7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Editing7
  • Cinematography6
  • Music Composition5

Who it's for

AdultsSolo WatchThought-Provoking

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Two friends from the last war, Pierrot, a bar owner, and Gustave, a police inspector, are in contact with a notorious gang of racketeers in Montmartre. Tired of putting up with Albert the King's demands, Pierrot kills the gangster during a bar brawl. His first instinct is to flee, but on Gustave's advice, he turns himself in to the law. All things considered, he'll be safer in prison than exposed to the reprisals of the "underworld". Pierrot goes to trial. He was acquitted as having acted in self-defense. But his release leaves him open to the vengeance of Bob, one of Albert's accomplices. Pierrot narrowly escapes an ambush, but is finally able to rid himself of the threat hanging over him, thanks to the friendship of Inspector Gustave, and finally reunites with the companion of his life, Dora, who has never stopped trembling for him.
French Crime DramaPost-War NoirGangster UnderworldMoral AmbiguityFriendship & BetrayalSelf-DefensePsychological TensionRedemptionMontmartre Setting

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about A Legitimate Defense

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream A Legitimate Defense legally?

GoodWatch doesn't know of a legal streaming option for A Legitimate Defense in the United States right now. Pick another country in the Where to Watch section to check elsewhere.

Is A Legitimate Defense worth watching?

61
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 62/100 (IMDb 6.3). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is A Legitimate Defense rated?

Violence

Content advisories: violence.

How long is A Legitimate Defense?

1 h 38 min

A Legitimate Defense runs 1 h 38 min.

What language is A Legitimate Defense in?

French

It was made in French. Produced in France.