Eyes Without a Face (French: Les yeux sans visage) is a 1960 French-language horror film adaptation of Jean Redon's novel, directed by Georges Franju, and starring Pierre Brasseur and Alida Valli. During the film's production, consideration was given to the standards of European censors by setting the right tone, minimizing gore and eliminating the mad-scientist character. Although the film passed through the European censors, the film's release in Europe caused controversy nevertheless. Critical reaction ranged from praise to disgust.
The film received an American debut in an edited and dubbed form in 1962 under the title of The Horror Chamber of Dr. Faustus. In the U.S. the film was released as a double feature with the horror film, The Manster (1959). The film's initial critical reception was not overtly positive, but subsequent theatrical and home video re-release of the film increased its reputation. Modern critics praise the film today for its poetic nature as well as being a notable influence on other filmmakers.
Plot
Late 19th Century New France. On a misty, early spring morning the body of a young woman is found in a forest clearing, her face and wrists bandaged. Her body laid to rest on a thick bed of pine boughs. Inspector Renault arrives at the crime scene noticing that the perpetrator has taken care to treat the body with "respect", despite the apparent mutilation. This is not the first young woman found in this almost exact state. He resolves to find the monster and bring him to justice. At the morgue it is clear from the coroner's reaction that the gravity of this situation has elevated to the point where it warrants the attention of an expert. Dr. Michel Baudour, brilliant, highly respected, influential and wealthy, is called upon to assist in the investigation. Dr. Baudour examines the body and concludes that the murderer is no average rogue but a fiend with some degree of proficiency. No fine, surgical skill present but skill nonetheless. The murderer is almost certainly a butcher. Detective Renault is most grateful for the doctor's assistance. He knows how much the good doctor's time is worth. Dr. Baudour's reputation is impeccable, his skill and influence with the elite place him in a demigod status. Dr. Baudour is only too happy to assist but Inspector Renault is beginning to sense an ulterior motive. At the moment it is not apparent but it warrants investigation. Dr. Baudour arrives home at his 100 year old château where he sheds his daytime mask of the well respected, influential, wealthy doctor and wears the exhausted, sullen face of a man who holds an unfathomable, sinister secret... ...on a fateful night not too long ago while in an absinthe induced state of intoxication, Dr. Baudour starts the fire which leaves his daughter, Charlotte, clinging to life. Her face burnt beyond recognition. After bringing his daughter back from the brink of death, the doctor sets out on a mission to placate his guilt. He obsesses about a ghastly procedure where by he removes the face of a patient and transplants it onto another...FACIAL TRANSPLANTS. Alas Dr. Baudour has yet to perfect the technique, thus the young women of New France are being found, their faces bandaged and mutilated. And now the weight of these women's souls are bearing down on Charlotte, driving her deeper and deeper into depression. Pursued by Detective Renault and by the deeds of his past, Dr. Baudour is in a race to save his daughter before either one catches up to him, or she finally gives in to the darkness that is threatening to envelope her.
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