Shocking On-Set Meltdown: ‘The Name of the Rose’ Director Recalls Patrick Dewaere’s Incident

Patrick Dewaere was an exceptional actor, radiant and defiant, who emerged from the Café de la Gare and remained connected to it until his tragic end. He pushed French cinema into a new era of modernity post-1968. Dewaere was also a troubled genius, plagued by inner demons that were exacerbated by drug use, leading him to perpetually doubt his abilities. This internal struggle culminated in July 1982 when he took his own life at the age of 35.

In 1975, Dewaere’s separation from actress Miou-Miou, the love of his life, pushed him further into turmoil. “That was the beginning of his downfall,” his daughter Lola Dewaere later recounted. “From then on, my father became violent, impulsive, unbearable.”

This dark and paradoxical period was marked by increased drug use starting in 1976 but also coincided with some of his most extraordinary on-screen performances in the late 70s: “Coup de tête,” “Un mauvais fils,” “Série noire,” “Beau-père,” and others.

A Remarkable Headbutt

In “Coup de tête,” a remarkable film directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud, Dewaere portrayed a character named François Perrin, a right winger for the football team in the small town of Trincamp. Perrin was known for his difficult personality. The team’s president, who was also his employer at the local factory, fired him after a heated argument, leading to Perrin losing both his job and his position on the team. To make matters worse, he was falsely accused of a crime he didn’t commit. However, the team needed him for the French Cup match and couldn’t afford to play without him.

Supported by a flawless script by Francis Veber, Dewaere turned his character into a disagreeable man and delivered a brilliant performance in this biting satire that criticized social hypocrisy and the celebrity culture in sports. Unfortunately, the film did not succeed commercially.

In an interview featured in Schnock n°42, dedicated to the deceased actor, Jean-Jacques Annaud shared a striking anecdote about Dewaere. Despite being drug-free for most of the filming of “Coup de tête” and fully committed to his role, the actor relapsed a week before filming ended.

“Patrick suddenly leaped up and punched him in the face”

“One story particularly moved me. I was shooting a night scene at the Meaux train station,” the filmmaker recalled. “My props assistant brought Patrick his suitcase. Patrick said nothing and placed it under the bench where he was lying.”

“The assistant explained, ‘No, Patrick, when you’re in a station at night, you don’t put your suitcase under a bench, but rather under your head for more security. Would you mind if I lift your head to slide the suitcase underneath?’ Patrick didn’t reply. The assistant gently lifted his head.”

“At that moment, I was very close to the scene, next to the camera. Suddenly, Patrick leaped up and punched him in the face. It was the only time in my life I saw four teeth fall to the ground in a pool of blood.”

“Patrick refused to apologize, which naturally led to a strike by my crew that lasted until 2 AM, when he finally issued a half-hearted apology. As my crew was tight-knit and warm-hearted, they understood he was not in the same state as he had been throughout the shoot and agreed to resume work,” he concluded.