The Pelican Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 15, 2026
Movie Overview: The Pelican
| Movie | The Pelican |
| Release Year | 1974 |
| Director | Gérard Blain |
| Genre | Drama |
| Runtime | 83 minutes (1h 23m) |
| Language | FR |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Pelican (1974) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Pelican are led by Gérard Blain . The supporting cast, including César Chauveau and Daniel Sarky , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
The Pelican stands out as a strong entry in the Drama genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Drama narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Pelican has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Pelican
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1974, The Pelican is a Drama film directed by Gérard Blain, written by Gérard Blain. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Gérard Blain as Paul Boyer.
Ending Explained: The Pelican
The Pelican Ending Explained: Paul has been imprisoned for ten years for passing counterfeit money. Directed by Gérard Blain, this 1974 drama film stars Gérard Blain (Paul Boyer), alongside César Chauveau as Marc at 10 years old, Daniel Sarky as Cazenave, Francia Seguy as Madeleine, Paul's mother. Rated 7.3/10 by audiences, the conclusion brings the story to a satisfying close.
What Happens at the End of The Pelican?
Paul has been imprisoned for ten years for passing counterfeit money. He feels victimized enough, both for the prison time and for the crime which led to it; he committed the crime to give his wife the nice things she asked him for. When he discovers that she has remarried a quite wealthy man, he is outraged. However, his ire is not due to her disloyalty to him; he loved their only son to distraction, and now the boy has no knowledge or memory of him.
Gérard Blain's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Gérard Blain (Paul Boyer)'s journey. He feels victimized enough, both for the prison time and for the crime which led to it; he committed the crime to give his wife the nice things she asked him for.
How Does Gérard Blain (Paul Boyer)'s Story End?
- Gérard Blain: Gérard Blain's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Gérard Blain delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 1h 23m runtime.
- César Chauveau (Marc at 10 years old): César Chauveau's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Daniel Sarky (Cazenave): Daniel Sarky's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Pelican Mean?
The ending of The Pelican ties together the narrative threads involving Gérard Blain. Gérard Blain chooses a conclusion that prioritizes thematic consistency over surprise, resulting in an ending that rewards viewers who engaged with the story's central themes.
The Pelican Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is The Pelican Based on a True Story?
No, The Pelican is a work of fiction. While the drama film directed by Gérard Blain and starring Gérard Blain may incorporate realistic themes, the characters and plot are original creations.
Who Should Watch The Pelican?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Gérard Blain or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
At just 83 minutes, it's a quick watch.
The Pelican Parents Guide & Age Rating
1974 AdvisoryWondering about The Pelican age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Pelican (1974) is 83 minutes (1h 23m). Directed by Gérard Blain, the film runs for 83 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.3/10, and global performance metrics, The Pelican is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1974 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Pelican worth watching?
The Pelican is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.3/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Pelican parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Pelican identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Pelican (1974)?
The runtime of The Pelican (1974) is 83 minutes (approximately 1h 23m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
