Simone Signoret, Anton Walbrook, and Simone Simon lead a roundelay of French stars in Max Ophuls's delightful, acerbic adaptation of Arthur Schnitzler's controversial turn-of-the-century play Reigen. Soldiers, chambermaids, poets, prostitutes, aristocrats—all are on equal footing in this multicharacter merry-go-round of love and infidelity, directed with a sweeping gaiety as knowingly frivolous as it is enchanting, and shot with Ophuls's trademark mellifluous cinematography.
Criterion DVD Extras • Daniel Gelin on La Ronde
• Circles of Desire: Alan Williams on La Ronde
• Interview with Marcel Ophuls
• Gallery
• Commentary by film scholar Susan White (separate, out of sync)