Robert Le Vigan wasn't exactly the most popular actor in post-war France as he had chosen the wrong side during the war and become a collabo. He features large in Louis-Ferdinand Céline's trilogy of post-war novels, in which Céline crosses Germany to reach Denmark with only his wife, the actor 'Le Vig' and a cat in a bag for company.
The novels are hilarious, but likewise, their reputation have suffered due to Céline's own status as a collaborator. Le Vigan made several great films before the war, although he didn't make the films great as such, as he generally played a supporting role, as he does in Le Quai Des Brumes (1938)
In this clip you can see Robert Le Vigan hamming it up as Christ. It's odd, but since this film GOLGOTHA was made, crucifixion scenes in movies have barely changed. A meaty role for any actor, but even moreso if they are an egomanicac. I say hamming it up, but I think it's a pretty fantastic film, and full of atmosphere, especially this scene.
In Le Quai des Brumes, Le Vigan only has one scene to speak of, and it is performing something entirely extraneous to the story. It is still marvellous however, and Le Vig appears, delivers a monologue on the hopelessness of art and love, and then is barely seen again.
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| Le Vig plays Le Christ |
(Four Stills are from Le Quai Des Brumes 1938)
There's more on Le Vig and his collaboration at LE PETIT CELINIEN
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