Two friends from the last war, Pierrot, a bar owner, and Gustave, a police inspector, are in contact with a notorious gang of racketeers in Montmartre. Tired of putting up with Albert the King's demands, Pierrot kills the gangster during a bar brawl. His first instinct is to flee, but on Gustave's advice, he turns himself in to the law. All things considered, he'll be safer in prison than exposed to the reprisals of the "underworld". Pierrot goes to trial. He was acquitted as having acted in self-defense. But his release leaves him open to the vengeance of Bob, one of Albert's accomplices. Pierrot narrowly escapes an ambush, but is finally able to rid himself of the threat hanging over him, thanks to the friendship of Inspector Gustave, and finally reunites with the companion of his life, Dora, who has never stopped trembling for him.
Where to watch
Not streaming anywhere
Not on any streaming service in United States, and not available to rent.
Your rating
Your review
Cast
19 people
Bernard Blier
Gustave Martinet
Known for
The Restaurant
Crooks in Clover
Philippe Nicaud
Pierre 'Pierrot' Lambert
Known for
Squeak-squeak
The Magnificent Cuckold
Maria Mauban
Dora
Known for
Journey to Italy
The Gendarme and the Creatures from Outer Space
Pierre Mondy
Petit Bob
Known for
Now Where Did the Seventh Company Get to?
Asterix vs. Caesar
Jean Lefebvre
Georges, le barman de "L'Ami Pierrot"
Known for
The Gendarme Gets Married
The Seventh Company Has Been Found
Robert Dalban
Albert dit "Bébert le Caïd", un gangster qui rackette et persécute Pierrot
Known for
Fantomas
Crooks in Clover
Rosy Varte
Rita la Gitane, une prostituée
Known for
Antoine and Colette
The Night Caller
Daniel Cauchy
Dédé, aide de Bébert
Known for
Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez
Bob le Flambeur
Jean Lara
l'avocat de Pierrot
Known for
Two Men in Manhattan
François Darbon
l'avocat général
Known for
Antoine and Colette
Paul Bonifas
le président de la cour
Known for
Charade
Aventure Malgache
Monique Tanguy
Ginette, amie et collègue de Dora/Adrienne
Also in
Sinners of Paris
André Berthomieu Director · Frédéric Dard Writer Walter Wottitz Cinematographer
First release June 11, 1958 · Produced in France · Original title En légitime défense
Production
France
Produced in
Languages
Original title
En légitime défense
Original language
French
Spoken on screen
French
Release dates
France · June 11, 1958
Theatrical
No release date listed for United States.
More from André Berthomieu
Other films they directed, best known first.
If you liked A Legitimate Defense
Picks that share its genres, themes, cast and crew.
Some details come from TheTVDB.