This film marks the final performance of the notable French film star Pierre Brasseur, who died not long after the film was shot. One of his better-known films is Children of Paradise. In this film, an Italian industrialist (Alberto Sordi) who has made his fortune using some shady tactics, unwittingly becomes the victim and entertainment for four retired jurists. These four men (Pierre Brasseur, Michel Simon, Charles Vanel and Claude Dauphin), though retired, make it a practice to keep their legal skills sharp. Whenever a suitable villain stumbles across their path, they conduct a trial with all the trimmings. It is a form of play, but these virtuoso lawyers are quite serious about it.