Promise at Dawn () is a 1970 American drama film directed by Jules Dassin and starring Melina Mercouri, Dassin's wife. It is based on the 1960 novel Promise at Dawn () by Romain Gary and the subsequent play by Samuel A. Taylor.
Plot
The film follows author Romain Gary as he recalls his growing up with his Lithuanian-born mother. The two leave Vilnius, Lithuania for France, where they settle in Paris. As twenty years pass, they encounter social change, age, different convictions, poverty and the slow approach of World War II.
Cast
Melina Mercouri as Nina Kacew
Assi Dayan as Romain age 25
Didier Haudepin as Romain age 15
François Raffoul as Romain age 9
Despo Diamantidou as Aniela (as Despo) Jean Martin as Igor Igorevitch Fernand Gravey as Jean-Michel Serusier Jacqueline Porel as Madame Mailer Elspeth March as Fat Woman Maria Machado as Nathalie Lissenko Julie Dassin as Romain's Friend René Clermont as Mr. Piekielny Carole Cole as Louison Marina Nestora as Mariette Audrey Berindey as Valentine Mailer Jacqueline Duc as Madame de Rare Muni as Angélique Thérèse Thoreaux as Silent Film Heroine Jules Dassin as Ivan Mosjukine Dennis Berry as Belle Gueule Rufus as The Violin Teacher Katia Tchenko as The actress
Production
The film was shot in Nice, Paris and the USSR. Dassin broke both his legs after falling over in October 1969 after three days of filming in Nice.
Avco Embassy president Joseph E. Levine filmed a cameo for the film.