Actor/writer/director Marcello Pagliero, one of the leading lights of the Italian neorealist movement, was the guiding force behind the French production Les Amants de Brasmart (The Lovers of Brasmart) Frank Villard heads the cast as Jean, a young barge captain whose livelihood is threatened by his avaricious uncle. When not defending himself against his uncle's brutish henchmen, Jean conducts a tender romance with Monique (Nicole Courcel). The best scenes take place on the Seine River, especially a thrill-packed barge race. Cinematographer Roger Hubert manages to bring a realistic veneer to even the most melodramatic plot twists. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi