Hanged Man's Farm

Hanged Man's Farm (La Ferme du pendu) is a French drama picture from 1945, helmed by director Jean Dréville. Its story derives from Gilbert Dupé's eponymous novel. The leading roles went to two celebrated performers of the period, Charles Vanel and Bourvil, while the supporting ensemble features Alfred Adam, Arlette Merry, Claudine Dupuis, Guy Decomble, Laure Paillette and Dominique Zardi. With a running time of roughly ninety minutes, the release proved a major commercial success at home, selling over 2.7 million tickets in France and placing it among the year's biggest draws. Produced in the years right after World War II, it remains a characteristic piece of French literary adaptation cinema, anchored by its prominent cast and its source in popular fiction.