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Le Corbeau

Year: 1943
Classification: Foreign Film - French

Directed:
- Henri-Georges Clouzot

Actors/Actresses:
- Pierre Fresnay
- Ginette Leclerc

Raven vs. Robin

A reticent physician with a mysterious past, practicing in the small French town of St. Robin, is targeted by poison-pen letters signed "Le Corbeau" (The Raven). The letters increase from a trickle to a deluge as virtually everyone in town is targeted; confidences are violated and neighbor suspects neighbor in an infectious atmosphere of growing paranoia and mistrust. Henri-Georges Clouzot (Diabolique, Wages of Fear) keeps the viewer on his toes throughout the entire 91 minutes; there isn't a weak spot in this entire film which, amazingly, managed to get itself made during the Nazi occupation of France (and which was condemned by both the Right and Left Wings, with the Church thrown in for good measure).BR>I caught the beginning of this film some months back on Turner and was too tired to watch it in its entirety. I was very happy to learn that Criterion (yay!) was scheduled to release it and I wasn't disappointed; this film belongs in the library of every serious collector. In fact, I can't imagine anyone's not enjoying it.BR>Since other reviewers have summarized the plot, I'll confine the rest of my review to the disk and its extras. The print--predictably--is gorgeous, presented in its original full-screen aspect ratio. Contrary to another reviewer, I found the sound clear as a bell and not in the least bit harsh or tinny. I haven't, with the exception of the trailer, availed myself of the extras yet but this is a Criterion release--I'd be surprised if they were anything but first-rate. A very informative booklet is included and makes for interesting reading. My quibbles are minor and few: I found the subtitles difficult to see from a rather short distance, and I wish they were offered in other languages (I have a number of friends who are recent emigres from Russia and other countries who are eager to avail themselves of quality cinema). There was also a scene where the action paused for a fraction of a second--I'm not sure if this was the director's intention or the result of this being a dual-layer release. BR>This is a fascinating film that can be enjoyed on a number of levels, i.e., one need not be aware of conditions in France at the time it was shot to be captivated by it. An excellent introduction to the work of Clouzot for the initiate and a welcome event for seasoned fans.

BIRDIE NUM ..... NUM[B]S ........

with apology to the late Peter S.
The unusual suspects? Sure, this one has them all - the New Doctor [who has an rather unusual bedside manner with the ladies, and performs ... shall we say ... perhaps those unspoken surgeries?], the two sisters - one the Nurse, always cloaked and hooded, falconesque perhaps? The other one - petite, sweet, blonde and braided and married to an 'elder gentleman' - somewhat a May/December fling, then there's the 'Bird in the Gilded Cage', wing slightly clipped, but also enamoured by the Doctor ..... and the little bespectacled teen ......
Clouzot paints a drab, fascinating, character study of total paranoia during our stay in this little hamlet ... and the letters? They keep on coming - until everyone becomes a suspect.
Brilliantly photographed and lensed this is a must-see experience, but not just once, Oh, our director flings the truth right out there - so obvious from the very beginning, but it's up to the viewer.....
As for the Patient in bed #13 and the doting, veiled mama? Another sinister moment!
Buy, yes, buy this Birdie!

Clouzot brilliance

Nothing to add about the picture - splendid acting, menacing, claustrophobic atmosphere. Just a word about the disc - visually,BR>about one of the cleanest transfers of a film this old that I've yet seen. Looks like they had a good print to begin with, and didBR>what they usually do digitally - the result is pristine. Blacks very black, good contrast. However, they were a little overzealous with the sound, which in its filtered state is unusually tinny and whistly. This detracts somewhat from the overall quality of the presentation, but not too much. The extras are very good and most apropos, as one would expect of Criterion.

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