Chiens perdus sans collier (1955)
Directed by Jean Delannoy

Film Review

Chiens perdus sans collier is director Jean Delannoy's rare attempt to tackle real social issues, although he is noticeably less successful than in his other films. This is in spite of the fact that the film is competently made and features some creditable acting performances.  The film looks good, it makes entertaining viewing, but it just doesn't ring true.

The film's evident artificiality made it a sitting target for the reactionary film critics of the time, most notably François Truffaut (who would develop an intense hostility towards Delannoy in later years). Chiens perdus sans collier is certainly a good example of the uninspired kind of film which French cinema churned out in the 1950s, although it is not in itself necessarily a bad film.

Film Synopsis

With no relatives of his own to take care of him, little Alain Robert ends up being placed in the care of a farming family in the country.  They bully and abuse him;  when they are away he sets fire to their barn and runs away.  He is picked up by the authorities and taken before Judge Lamy, who has him sent to an observation centre for juvenile delinquents.  It is here that Alain becomes friends with an older boy, Francis Lanoux, who was taken into care when he was found living in abject squalor with his alcoholic grandparents.  Francis has no intention of remaining a prisoner in the centre.  He intends to run away so that he can join his girlfriend Sylvette, who, unbeknown to him, is pregnant with his child.  Not having heard from Sylvette since he was taken into custody (all of her letters have been intercepted), Francis breaks out of the centre with Alain.  They go their separate ways - Francis setting off to find his girlfriend whilst Alain goes in search of his missing parents.  Both will end up being cruelly used by Fate...