La Ronde (film)
"La Ronde" is a film directed by Max Ophüls, released in 1950, that is based on the play "Reigen" by Austrian playwright Arthur Schnitzler. This film features an ensemble cast, including notable actors like Simone Signoret, Jean Louis Barrault, and Gérard Philipe, and is recognized for its exploration of sexual relationships through a series of interlinked stories involving multiple characters. Upon its release in the United States, "La Ronde" garnered significant attention and controversy for its candid portrayal of casual sexual encounters, marking it as one of the pioneering sex comedies of its time.
The film faced censorship challenges, including a ban by New York's state censorship board in 1952, which claimed it could corrupt morals. However, this ban was ultimately overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, which emphasized the constitutional protection of films and artistic expression. This landmark decision not only defended "La Ronde" but also helped broaden the scope for filmmakers in the U.S. to address provocative themes without fear of censorship. The film's influence continued, leading to a 1964 adaptation by French director Roger Vadim, further underscoring its lasting impact on cinema and discussions surrounding sexual politics.
La Ronde (film)
Type of work: Film
Released: 1950
Director: Max Ophüls (1902-1957)
Subject matter: Ironic comedy set in turn-of-the-century Vienna in which the interlinked romantic pairings among ten characters are followed in a series of vignettes
Significance: The most explicit sex comedy released in the United States up to its time, this film provoked censorship attempts that led to a U.S. Supreme Court decision expanding freedom of expression in film
La Ronde is based on Austrian dramatist Arthur Schnitzler’s comedy Riegen (written 1900; performed 1920), which several European filmmakers adapted to the screen before Max Ophüls’ 1950 version. La Ronde’s array of international talent—from the director to its stars, Simone Signoret, Jean Louis Barrault, and Gerard Philipe—attracted such attention that the sex comedy became a cause célèbre after its release in the United States. It was one of the first films shown in the country that depicted casual trysts among multiple characters who were clearly enjoying sexual relationships.
In 1952 New York’s state censorship board banned the film, claiming that it “would tend to corrupt morals.” When a state appeals court upheld this decision, one of its judges expressed the opinion that the film advanced the view that “life is just a ’round’ of sexual promiscuity.’” However, when the case reached the U.S. Supreme Court, that court ruled that films were entitled to constitutional protection from state censorship and could not be banned simply because censors found them immoral. In his concurring opinion, Associate Justice William O. Douglas adopted an absolute standard for upholding the First and Fourteenth amendments, which collectively hold that Congress and the states shall make no law which abridges freedom of speech or of the press. He concluded by noting that “in this Nation, every writer, actor, or producer, no matter what the medium of expression he may use, should be freed from the censor.” This important ruling significantly enlarged the freedom of U.S. filmmakers to treat controversial subjects without fear of official censorship.
French director Roger Vadim filmed a new adaptation of La Ronde, with the same title, in 1964.