Alphaville

Original title: Alphaville: Une étrange aventure de Lemmy Caution

1965
PG
1h 39m

IMDb RATING

7.0/10

29K

YOUR RATING

Eddie Constantine and Anna Karina in Alphaville (1965)

A U.S. secret agent is sent to the distant space city of Alphaville where he must find a missing person and free the city from its tyrannical ruler.

Play trailer1:27

1 Video

68 Photos

Hard-boiled Detective Drama Mystery Sci-Fi Thriller

An agent wrecks the main computer on another planet.An agent wrecks the main computer on another planet.An agent wrecks the main computer on another planet.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.0/10

29K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win & 1 nomination

Top cast11

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Eddie Constantine

Lemmy Caution

Anna Karina

Natacha von Braun

Akim Tamiroff

Henri Dickson
(as Akim Tamirof)

Valérie Boisgel

2nd Seductress Third Class
(uncredited)

Jean-Louis Comolli

Prof. Jeckell
(uncredited)

Michel Delahaye

von Braun's Assistant
(uncredited)

Jean-André Fieschi

Prof. Heckell
(uncredited)

Christa Lang

1st Seductress Third Class
(uncredited)

Jean-Pierre Léaud

Breakfast Waiter
(uncredited)

László Szabó

Chief Engineer
(uncredited)

Howard Vernon

Léonard von Braun
(uncredited)

Director
- Jean-Luc Godard
Writers
- Jean-Luc Godard
- Paul Éluard
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
It is unknown who did the voice of the Alpha 60 computer. The voice of Alpha 60 was performed by a man with a mechanical voice box replacing his cancer-damaged larynx who wanted to remain anonymous.

Goofs
When questioned, Lemmy Caution states that he drives a Ford Galaxy. It's actually a Ford Mustang.

Quotes
[English subtitled version]
Alpha 60: Once we know the number one, we believe that we know the number two, because one plus one equals two. We forget that first we must know the meaning of plus.

Crazy credits
Before the credits, Jean-Luc Godard adds one letter at a time to compose the word "fin"--"i"..."in"..."fin"--as though to suggest "I, in the end".

Alternate versions
Although composed for the standard European aspect ratio of 1.66:1, the restored Criterion version (which is also broadcast on TCM) is presented full-frame. Presumably cinematographer Coutard anticipated future TV showings and kept the image 1.37-safe (i.e., no visible boom mics, lights or other equipment).

Connections
Edited into Histoire(s) du cinéma: Une vague nouvelle (1999)

A strange but beautiful adventure

What can you say that hasn't already been said. The dispassionate pastiche that is Lemmy Caution. The lethargy is exhilarating at times. The photography inventive and startling. The sound design unique and ground breaking. The acting superb. The music fantastique! Love it or get out of here!