End of Desire (1958)

In the latter half of the 19th century, amidst the rustic beauty of Normandy, resides Jeanne Dandieu, the young heiress of a regal manor. Her life, cocooned in the adoration of her parents and the loyalty of their servant Rosalie, takes a turn when she meets the dashing Julien. Succumbing to his charm, she marries him, only to have her blissful world collapse. Jeanne uncovers the harsh truth that Julien's affection was a mere facade, a strategy to gain access to her wealth. Adding to her pain, he brazenly betrays her with none other than Rosalie. The unveiled deception births a child and leaves Jeanne in shambles as Rosalie departs, leaving the manor and her newborn behind. As the years roll on, Julien's heart wanders yet again, this time to the arms of the enchanting Gilberte de Fourcheville. Jeanne, bearing the brunt of her husband's infidelity once more, shows remarkable courage in the face of adversity. However, the illicit love affair reaches a shocking climax when Gilberte's husband catches them in a passionate embrace, his rage propelling them over a cliff's edge. All the while, Jeanne's tale of unrequited love, betrayal, and resilience unfolds, echoing the haunting beauty of the Normandy backdrop.

End of Desire is a drama movie featuring Maria Schell and directed by Alexandre Astruc.

End of Desire is currently streaming on Mubi Amazon Channel.