The theme of uncertainty in a fragmented narrative (previously explored by Resnais among equally elegant surroundings in "L'Année dernière à Marienbad") was identified by a more sympathetic American reviewer, though with some reservations about the density of the historical background: "The difficulty of knowing what is true, of discovering what really happened, ripples throughout Alain Resnais's "Stavisky" — a spell-casting mood piece that is also factually frustrating. Ideally, it should be possible to relish this fascinating movie on its own. But, since so little French history of the nineteen-thirties is provided, it's likely to send you flying to the library... Despite its mystifications, "Stavisky" is one of the most rewarding films I've seen this year—and also one of the most intelligent."