Le Secret d'Hélène Marimon (1954)
Directed by Henri Calef

Film Synopsis

In the immediate aftermath of WWII, Jacques Taillandier, a successful oil company executive based in the Middle East, returns to Paris.  His arrival in France coincides with the publication of a book about a former friend of his, Camille Marimon, alongside whom he fought during the First World War.  Marimon owed his life to Taillandier, who suffered severe injuries when he came to his aid on the battlefield in 1918.  During his long period of convalescence, Jacques came into contact with a strange and beguiling young woman, with whom he soon fell in love.  Little did he know at the time that the woman was his friend's wife, Hélène.

After Marimon's death, Jacques confided in Hélène his intense feelings for her, but this revelation was not well received.  Seeing how profoundly shaken the young woman was by his ardent declaration of love, Jacques parted from her and devoted himself to his work in industry.  Now, almost thirty years later, Jacques learns through the publisher of Marimon's book that Hélène has a daughter, Dominique and that he is her father.  On finding this out for herself, Dominique becomes preoccupied with unravelling the circumstances of her birth.  What she discovers moves her so much that her one overriding concern is to bring her parents together...