Essential Becker Collection

Collection of five classic French dramas directed by Jacques Becker. 'Falbalas' (1945) follows Micheline (Micheline Presle) as she arrives in Paris to prepare for her wedding to Lyon businessman Daniel Rousseau (Jean Chevrier). However, when she falls in love with his best friend, philandering fashion designer Philippe Clarence (Raymond Rouleau), Micheline faces a difficult decision about the direction of her future.

'Edward and Caroline' (1951) follows husband and wife Edouard and Caroline (Daniel Gelin and Anne Vernon) as they prepare to head to a party hosted by Caroline's rich uncle Claude (Jean Galland). With pianist Edouard expected to perform at the event, he wants the couple to be looking their best in a bid to impress Claude and his guests. However, when Caroline decides to remodel her dress in order to make it look more up-to-date, the pair fall out and their evening soon becomes a disaster.

'Casque d'Or' (1952), set in Paris at the turn of the century, follows Georges Manda (Serge Reggiani) as he falls for Marie (Simone Signoret) and faces the wrath of her boyfriend, the petty crook Roland (William Sabatier). Gang boss Felix (Claude Dauphin), who secretly lusts after Marie, orders the two to fight it out for her hand, hoping to eliminate his love rivals. When his boyhood friend is subsequently framed for the murder, Georges, not realising Felix's involvement, does the decent thing and turns himself in to the police.

However, when Georges then discovers Felix's role in his downfall, he escapes from custody and sets out on a mission to get his revenge. 'Touchez Pas Au Grisbi' (1954) follows ageing underworld figure Max (Jean Gabin), who, with his colleague Riton (Rene Dary), has stolen 50 million francs in gold bars. When Riton's girlfriend decides to take up with rival gang boss Angelo (Lino Ventura), the whereabouts of the stolen money becomes clear, prompting Angelo to kidnap Riton and demand the money as ransom.

Finally, in 'Le Trou' (1960), wrongly convicted of the murder of his wife, Gaspard Claude (Marc Michel) is sent to Paris's notorious Sante Prison, sharing a cell with four hardened criminals. Gaspard soon learns that his new cellmates have been planning a prison break and have begun digging a tunnel in an ambitious attempt to escape. However, despite initially going along with the plan, Gaspard begins to have second thoughts when the guards inform him he is to be released soon.