Summer Midnight Filmfest (Part 4)

LE CORBEAU (The Raven)
Dir.: Henri-Georges Clouzot / Cast : Jean Brochard, Pierre Fresnay
Year Realeased: 1943 / In French, with English subtitles

Le Corbeau (The Raven) is the second film by H.-G. Clouzot that I’ve watched, the first being The Wages of Fear, which has become one of my favorite thrillers. Le Corbeau, which gave me a Hitchcock feel, did not disappoint; on the contrary, I found a marvel in it.

Poison-pen letters written by "The Raven" plague a small French town; it’s target, obviously, is Dr. Germain, a doctor with a past. The letters, received practically by everyone, creates havoc that will turn everyone upon anyone, causing panic, paranoia, and even crimes and suicides. Everyone is a suspect.

This film, presented in glorious black and white, is a masterful examination of paranoia and distrust.

.

Rating: 4.0/4.0