Don't Touch the Axe

Adapted from Balzac's 'The Duchess of Langeais' Jacques Rivette's latest film tells the tragic story of a French general, Armand de Montriveau (Depardieu), back from a difficult trip in Africa who falls for a married duchess Antoinette de Langeais (Balibar). This great, now aged, New Wave filmmaker still knows how to keep an audience's interest without resorting to ready convention. His characters aren't quite so lucky.

• Duration: 138
• Certificate: PG
• Director: Jacques Rivette
• Stars: Jeanne Balibar, Guillaume Depardieu, Michel Piccoli
• Year: 2007
• Country of origin: France/Italy