The Great Sinner (1949)

In the heart of Paris, a young and ambitious writer, Fredja, finds his fate intertwined with the captivating Pauline Ostrovsky during a chance encounter on a train. Entranced by her beauty and the mystery surrounding her, he impulsively follows her to Wiesbaden, Germany, stepping off the train and into a world of opulence, desperation, and the intoxicating thrill of high stakes. In the heart of this city, he discovers Pauline's secret life within the gilded walls of the local casino. Alongside her father, General Ostrovsky, she is trapped in the grip of relentless gambling addiction, a plight that Fredja seeks to understand. His curiosity, however, leads him down a treacherous path when he meets the despairing Aristide Pitard, whose tragic fate unveils the devastating consequences of the gambling disease. Despite his initial intentions, Fredja finds himself swept up in the same whirlwind of obsession, squandering his wealth and risking his very livelihood. As he descends into the depths of addiction, his path becomes a mirror image of Pauline's, their lives intertwined by the relentless lure of the roulette wheel. However, amidst the chaos and despair, Fredja's love for Pauline remains his beacon in the darkness. She becomes his sole remaining treasure and the key to his salvation. Together, they stand against the odds, battling their shared demon with the unfaltering power of love. In a world where fortunes can be lost in an instant, they learn that the only bet worth making is on each other, igniting a battle of wills against the seductive thrall of the casino and the all-consuming addiction it fosters.

The Great Sinner is a drama movie featuring Gregory Peck.

The Great Sinner is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.