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The Elegant Criminal
Pierre Lacenaire, a murderer and thief, is beheaded in 1836. He delivers Allard his life narrative, penned while awaiting execution. He also begs Allard to care for Hermine, whom he's guardian for over a decade. In flashbacks, we see Lacenaire's childhood as he stands up to bullies, including priests, his youthful stealing, his first murder, his brief army career, his seduction of a princess, and his affair with Avril, a young man who dies beside him.