DRAMA . 1996 . 1h 58m . 7.3/10

The Eighth Day_

"What a difference a day makes…"

Georges has Down syndrome, living at a mental-institution, Harry is a busy businessman, giving lectures for young aspiring salesmen. He is successful in his business life, but his social life is a disaster since his wife left him and took their two children with her. This weekend his children came by train to meet him, but Harry, working as always, forgot to pick them up. Neither his wife or his children want to see him again and he is driving around on the country roads, anguished and angry. He almost runs over Georges, on the run from the institution since everybody else went home with their parents except him, whose mother is dead. Harry tries to get rid of Georges but he won't leave his new friend. Eventually a special friendship forms between the two of them, a friendship which makes Harry a different person.

Starring Daniel Auteuil, Pascal Duquenne, Miou-Miou
7.3/10
Rating
1h 58m
Runtime
1996
Year
Updated Feb 16, 2026
The Eighth Day poster
What a difference a day makes…

Georges has Down syndrome, living at a mental-institution, Harry is a busy businessman, giving lectures for young aspiring salesmen. He is successful in his business life, but his social life is a disaster since his wife left him and took their two children with her. This weekend his children came by train to meet him, but Harry, working as always, forgot to pick them up. Neither his wife or his children want to see him again and he is driving around on the country roads, anguished and angry. He almost runs over Georges, on the run from the institution since everybody else went home with their parents except him, whose mother is dead. Harry tries to get rid of Georges but he won't leave his new friend. Eventually a special friendship forms between the two of them, a friendship which makes Harry a different person.

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Cast
Daniel Auteuil stars as Harry in The Eighth Day.
Daniel Auteuil →
Year context
The Eighth Day was released 30 years ago in 1996.
Overview
Georges has Down syndrome, living at a mental-institution, Harry is a busy businessman, giving lectures for young aspiring salesmen. He is successful in his ...
The Eighth Day is a Drama film with a runtime of 1h 58m.

CAST (20)

Daniel Auteuil
Daniel Auteuil
Harry
Pascal Duquenne
Pascal Duquenne
Georges
Miou-Miou
Miou-Miou
Julie
Henri Garcin
Henri Garcin
Bank manager
Isabelle Sadoyan
Isabelle Sadoyan
Georges' Mother
Fabienne Loriaux
Fabienne Loriaux
Fabienne, Georges's sister
Juliette Van Dormael
Juliette Van Dormael
Juliette
Sabrina Leurquin
Sabrina Leurquin
Snack waitress
Dieudonné Kabongo
Dieudonné Kabongo
Dustman
MM
Michele Maes
Nathalie
AV
Alice van Dormael
Alice
MM
Marie-Pierre Meinzel
Shoe store saleswoman
LH
Laszlo Harmati
Luis Mariano
DL
Dominique Lecat
Band Member
RD
Roland De Pauw
TV Chef
JD
Jo De Backer
Bridegroom
Lotfi Yahya Jedidi
Lotfi Yahya Jedidi
Dustman
AS
André Simon
Tramp
MF
Monique Florin
Nathalie's mother
JB
Jean Bollery
Nathalie's father

DETAILS

Release
Status
Released
Runtime
118 min (1h 58m)
Country
Rating
7.3/10 (307 votes)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is The Eighth Day about?
Georges has Down syndrome, living at a mental-institution, Harry is a busy businessman, giving lectures for young aspiring salesmen. He is successful in his business life, but his social life is a disaster since his wife left him and took their two children with her. This weekend his children came by train to meet him, but Harry, working as always, forgot to pick them up. Neither his wife or his children want to see him again and he is driving around on the country roads, anguished and angry. He almost runs over Georges, on the run from the institution since everybody else went home with their parents except him, whose mother is dead. Harry tries to get rid of Georges but he won't leave his new friend. Eventually a special friendship forms between the two of them, a friendship which makes Harry a different person.
How long is The Eighth Day?
The Eighth Day has a runtime of 118 minutes (1h 58m).
Who stars in The Eighth Day?
The cast of The Eighth Day includes Daniel Auteuil, Pascal Duquenne, Miou-Miou, Henri Garcin, Isabelle Sadoyan.
What is the rating of The Eighth Day?
The Eighth Day has a rating of 7.3 out of 10 based on 307 votes on TMDB.

GENRES (1)

Drama
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