The Christmas Tree (1969 film)

L'Arbre de Noël (internationally released as The Christmas Tree) is a 1969 French-Italian drama film directed by Terence Young and starring William Holden, Bourvil and Virna Lisi.^[1] It was defined as "the most tearful film of sixties".^[2] The film was co-produced by Italy where it was released as L'albero di Natale.

The Christmas Tree
Directed by	Terence Young
Written by	Terence Young
Based on	Michel Bataille (D'après le roman)
Produced by	Robert Dorfmann
Starring	William Holden Bourvil Virna Lisi
Cinematography	Henri Alekan
Edited by	Monique Bonnot
Music by	Georges Auric
Color process	Eastmancolor
Production companies	Les Films Corona Jupiter Generale Cinematografica
Distributed by	Valoria Films
Release date	25 September 1969 (1969-09-25) (New York City)
Running time	108 minutes
Countries	France Italy
Language	French

Plot

The story follows a Frenchman named Laurent and his son Pascal, who live somewhere in France. Along the way, the widower Laurent meets and falls for the beautiful Catherine, but also learns that his son is dying after witnessing the explosion of a plane with a nuclear device inside. Finding this out, Laurent and Pascal have a string of adventures with Catherine along.

Cast

• William Holden as Laurent Ségur
• Bourvil as Verdun
• Virna Lisi as Catherine Graziani
• Madeleine Damien as Marinette
• Mario Feliciani as Le docteur
• Friedrich von Ledebur as Vernet
• Georges Douking as L'animalier (as Douking)
• Michel Thomass as L'ami corse
• Jean-Pierre Castaldi as Le motard de la gendermerie
• Yves Barsacq as Charlie le breton - le pompiste
• France Daunic as La monitrice
• Brook Fuller as Pascal Ségur

Release

The film opened September 25, 1969 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.^[3][4] It grossed $200,000 in its opening week.^[5]

See also

• List of Christmas films
• List of French films of 1969