Le Corbeau (1943) by H.G. Clouzot
Posted: May 11th, 2008, 10:45 am
As somebody opened a thread on French crime films, I think it's quite timely to start one on one of the best French film ever made. It's one of my favourite pictures ever and last friday, I visited for the first time, the little village where it was shot: Montfort L'Amaury (about 40 km W of Paris). It was a spooky experience to see for real all the famous spots from the film. The city hasn't changed much since 1943....I'll take you for a visit!
The film starts with a overview of the town where the church spire is very noticeable:
Here is the cemetery:
The church spire:
The gates of the cemetery (which still creaks like in the film ....*shudder*)
And now, let me tell you a few things about the film!
(From l to r) Dr Germain (Pierre Fresnay) read the first anonymous letter; Dr Germain chats about the letters with Dr Vorzet (Pierre Larquey); Denise (Ginette Leclerc) bites Germain's hand.
We are in the small city of Saint Robin where the mysterious Dr Germain -recently arrived- starts to receive some poison pen letters signed 'le corbeau' (the raven). Soon the whole city is swamped with these letters revealing one dark secret after another....
I don't want to give any spoilers as this film has a fantastic built-up. Every character of this film is magnificently characterised from the lead parts to the smallest supporting role. This is probably one of the most relentlessly dark story I have ever seen. Clouzot shows the worst recess of the human mind. From the mysterious Dr Germain who lives alone like an hermit, Denise the nymphomaniac, Marie Corbin, the nasty nurse to the strange Dr Vorzet; none of the character is shown under a great light. But, the dialogue sparkles with dark humor. There isn't a single useless word in this razor sharp script. The editing and scene transitions are absolutely brilliant.
The film has been released by Criterion but is now OOP. Fortunately, it's also available on R2 UK DVD.
Has anybody ever seen it?
The film starts with a overview of the town where the church spire is very noticeable:
Here is the cemetery:
The church spire:
The gates of the cemetery (which still creaks like in the film ....*shudder*)
And now, let me tell you a few things about the film!
(From l to r) Dr Germain (Pierre Fresnay) read the first anonymous letter; Dr Germain chats about the letters with Dr Vorzet (Pierre Larquey); Denise (Ginette Leclerc) bites Germain's hand.
We are in the small city of Saint Robin where the mysterious Dr Germain -recently arrived- starts to receive some poison pen letters signed 'le corbeau' (the raven). Soon the whole city is swamped with these letters revealing one dark secret after another....
I don't want to give any spoilers as this film has a fantastic built-up. Every character of this film is magnificently characterised from the lead parts to the smallest supporting role. This is probably one of the most relentlessly dark story I have ever seen. Clouzot shows the worst recess of the human mind. From the mysterious Dr Germain who lives alone like an hermit, Denise the nymphomaniac, Marie Corbin, the nasty nurse to the strange Dr Vorzet; none of the character is shown under a great light. But, the dialogue sparkles with dark humor. There isn't a single useless word in this razor sharp script. The editing and scene transitions are absolutely brilliant.
The film has been released by Criterion but is now OOP. Fortunately, it's also available on R2 UK DVD.
Has anybody ever seen it?