Cinema
The Raven
Le Corbeau
Henri-Georges Clouzot · 1943
Synopsis
In a small provincial town, Saint-Robin, anonymous letters signed “le Corbeau” begin to circulate. The first accuse Dr Rémy Germain of performing abortions and of having an affair. Others follow, targeting other inhabitants and revealing everyone's secrets. Little by little, the whole town begins to spy on itself, suspicion passes from house to house, and the doctor sets out to discover who is writing.
Context
Louis Chavance's screenplay draws on a real affair: from 1917, anonymous letters signed “l'Œil de tigre” had poisoned the town of Tulle. Produced by Continental, the film was released on 28 September 1943 and was attacked from all sides, by Vichy as by the Resistance. Banned after the Liberation, it was not freely shown in France until 1969. The word “corbeau” has since meant, in French, the writer of anonymous letters.
Who it is for
About an hour and a half; a film noir about informing, in which no character is entirely innocent.
Prizes and reception
Cocteau and Sartre defended it, seeing in it an allegory against informing rather than a work of propaganda.
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