Le Corbeau on DVD (1943)

the work of a master

graham cuming from london uk [Highly rated reviewer] , 01/09/2006

Le Corbeau is a fascinating film. Universally reviled by the authorities of every political and religious persuasion at the time it was a big hit with the cinema-going public. It is not difficult to see why.

The movie addresses the issue of malicious scandal and the prurient and even violent response this can evoke from all strata of society. It plays out like a whodunnit, but it also explores the sort of dark group-dynamics that can develop if left unchecked - a la macarthy and salem.

From a technical perspective the expressionistic use of lighting and camera angles is excellent - most notably when a nurse suspect is being hounded by the inhabitants of the town. Yet this is just one of a number of remarkably good set-pieces within the film.

Le Courbeau has been unjustly neglected, mainly because of Clouzot being accused as a collaborator during the war - this film being one of the chief pieces of evidence used against him as it was made during the Occupation. The knowledge that Clouzot would actually be forced to endure the sort of public vilification seen in the film gives it an even darker edge than it already has. In the end Clouzot was banned from making any more movies during the initial post-Occupation period.

Finally, a big thanks to Optimum who have released this DVD. It also includes an exemplary piece of film analysis as part of the Extras. An introduction which should be a model for any subsequent releases.

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Could this be the first film noir?

Colette from London , 22/10/2005

A gem of a film, I would highly recommend watching the extras for an excellent commentary on the historical background of this extraordinary film made in occupied france during the 2nd World War.

It can be seen as criticism of the bourgeoisie just as well as one of the conflicts generated by the occupation, the denonciations, suspicions, lies. It is also refreshingly free from the usual cliches and gender roles one is used to find in other films made in the 1930's and later.

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Rural France

Peter Walker from Herts, England , 19/07/2005

The small French village, local relationships come to a head when poison letters flow in the village. One can smell the garlic in this beautifully directed film of French village life when tension grows between the inhabitants from the poison letters . The story unfolds keeping your attention until the culprit is discovered, with a few twists on the way.

Nostalgia for some, but 90mins of compulsive viewing sub titles well done for those who need them.

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Masks of Respectability

FrankIV [Highly rated reviewer] , 04/07/2005

This is quite a wicked, subversive little film, on the surface like an Agatha Christie mystery as citizens of a small town are plagued by a series of poison pen letters, but actually exposing the secrets and lies beneath the respectable surface presented by the town's bourgeoisie.

There is telling dialogue about the grey areas between good and evil, and some amusing moments as everyone in the town is revealed as duplicitous in one way or another - even a little girl who lies about having seen a piece of paper. Unusual and interesting - recommended.

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Masks of Respectability

FrankIV [Highly rated reviewer] , 04/07/2005

This is quite a wicked, subversive little film, on the surface like an Agatha Christie mystery as citizens of a small town are plagued by a series of poison pen letters, but actually exposing the secrets and lies beneath the respectable surface presented by the town's bourgeoisie.

There is telling dialogue about the grey areas between good and evil, and some amusing moments as everyone in the town is revealed as duplicitous in one way or another - even a little girl who lies about having seen a piece of paper. Unusual and interesting - recommended.

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Could this be the first film noir?

Colette from London , 22/10/2005

A gem of a film, I would highly recommend watching the extras for an excellent commentary on the historical background of this extraordinary film made in occupied france during the 2nd World War.

It can be seen as criticism of the bourgeoisie just as well as one of the conflicts generated by the occupation, the denonciations, suspicions, lies. It is also refreshingly free from the usual cliches and gender roles one is used to find in other films made in the 1930's and later.

Read all highest rated reviews