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The Sword and the Balance

Name: The Sword and the Balance
Director: André Cayatte
Released: 1963
Duration: 138 min

Representation Score

1.1/10

Minimal

1963

Director

André Cayatte

Runtime

138 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film primarily critiques institutional failures rather than focusing on demographic diversity. It emphasizes the flaws in the legal system and how it can be swayed by societal pressures. While it lacks representation of gender, race, and LGBTQ+ identities, it offers a deep exploration of systemic issues. However, it remains rooted in the traditional demographics of its time.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Sword and the Balance have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or stories about non-cisgender identities.

How does The Sword and the Balance portray gender?

Minimal

The story focuses on a male-dominated legal profession, where women play a minimal role in driving the main plot.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Sword and the Balance?

Minimal

The cast is fairly uniform, reflecting the demographic makeup of mid-20th-century French institutions without much racial diversity.

How does The Sword and the Balance represent religion and culture?

Good

The film sharply criticizes Western institutional structures, portraying the judicial system as flawed and influenced by social pressures.

Does The Sword and the Balance include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no characters with visible or invisible disabilities playing central roles or serving as key plot devices.

Present on Screen

Provides a sophisticated critique of Western institutional structures and judicial flaws.
Explores the mechanics of systemic errors and social influence.

Limited or Absent

Needs more representation of women and their roles in the narrative.
Should feature a more diverse cast with various racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Could benefit from including LGBTQ+ identities and characters with disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Three young men are suspected of kidnapping and murdering a little boy. Most likely, two of them are really involved, but one is not. All of their pasts are questionable, riddled with violence and controversy. Neither the police nor the court can decide how to solve that puzzle.

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