Le Corbeau
Encyclopedia
Le Corbeau is a 1943
French film
directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot
. The film was notable for causing serious trouble to its director after World War II
because it had been produced by Continental Films, a German production company established in France
in the early months of the war, and because the film had been perceived by the underground and the communist press as vilifying the French people. Because of this, Clouzot was initially banned for life from directing in France and the film too was banned, but both bans were lifted in 1947. The film was remade
as The 13th Letter
(1951
) by Otto Preminger
.
The word corbeau has always been the French for raven
or crow
, but has now acquired the sense of a sender of anonymous letters. One of the most infamous cases of this kind centred on the murder of four-year-old Grégoire Villemin. A sender of anonymous letters claimed responsibility and at one stage the boy's own mother was accused of sending the letters.
letters are sent by somebody signing as Le Corbeau (the Raven). The letters start by accusing doctor Rémy Germain (Pierre Fresnay
) of having an affair with Laura Vorzet (Micheline Francey), the pretty young wife of the elderly psychiatrist Dr. Vorzet (Pierre Larquey). Germain is also accused of practicing illegal abortions. Letters are then sent to virtually all the population of the town, but keep getting back at the initial victim, Dr Germain. The situation becomes serious when a patient of the hospital commits suicide with his straight razor
after the Raven writes to him that his cancer is terminal. Marie Corbin, a nurse in the infirmary, becomes a suspect and is arrested, but soon new letters arrive. Germain's lover Denise is suspected, only for Laura to be identified by material contained in her blotter. Germain agrees to sign an order committing Laura as insane, just before he is called away to a patient. Just as the ambulance takes Laura away, Germain returns and finds Vorzet dead at his desk, his throat cut by the cancer patient's mother as he was writing the Raven's final triumphant letter.
The film is loosely based on a famous anonymous letter case that started in the town of Tulle
(France) in 1917. Anonymous letters had been sent by somebody signing the eye of the tiger, accusing notable figures in the town of adultery
.
1943 in film
The year 1943 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 3 - 1st missing persons telecast * February 20 - American film studio executives agree to allow the Office of War Information to censor films....
French film
Cinema of France
The Cinema of France comprises the art of film and creative movies made within the nation of France or by French filmmakers abroad.France is the birthplace of cinema and was responsible for many of its early significant contributions. Several important cinematic movements, including the Nouvelle...
directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot
Henri-Georges Clouzot
Henri-Georges Clouzot was a French film director, screenwriter and producer. He is best remembered for his work in the thriller film genre, having directed The Wages of Fear and Les Diaboliques, which are critically recognized to be among the greatest films from the 1950s...
. The film was notable for causing serious trouble to its director after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
because it had been produced by Continental Films, a German production company established in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in the early months of the war, and because the film had been perceived by the underground and the communist press as vilifying the French people. Because of this, Clouzot was initially banned for life from directing in France and the film too was banned, but both bans were lifted in 1947. The film was remade
Remake
A remake is a piece of media based primarily on an earlier work of the same medium.-Film:The term "remake" is generally used in reference to a movie which uses an earlier movie as the main source material, rather than in reference to a second, later movie based on the same source...
as The 13th Letter
The 13th Letter
The 13th Letter is a 1951 film directed by Otto Preminger. The film is a remake of Le Corbeau directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot.-Plot:...
(1951
1951 in film
The year 1951 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Sweden - May Britt is scouted by Italian film-makers Carlo Ponti and Mario Soldati-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:...
) by Otto Preminger
Otto Preminger
Otto Ludwig Preminger was an Austro–Hungarian-American theatre and film director.After moving from the theatre to Hollywood, he directed over 35 feature films in a five-decade career. He rose to prominence for stylish film noir mysteries such as Laura and Fallen Angel...
.
The word corbeau has always been the French for raven
Raven
Raven is the common name given to several larger-bodied members of the genus Corvus—but in Europe and North America the Common Raven is normally implied...
or crow
Crow
Crows form the genus Corvus in the family Corvidae. Ranging in size from the relatively small pigeon-size jackdaws to the Common Raven of the Holarctic region and Thick-billed Raven of the highlands of Ethiopia, the 40 or so members of this genus occur on all temperate continents and several...
, but has now acquired the sense of a sender of anonymous letters. One of the most infamous cases of this kind centred on the murder of four-year-old Grégoire Villemin. A sender of anonymous letters claimed responsibility and at one stage the boy's own mother was accused of sending the letters.
Synopsis
In a small French town identified as 'anywhere', anonymous poison penPoison pen letter
A poison pen letter is a letter or note containing unpleasant, abusive or malicious statements or accusations about the recipient or a third party. It is usually sent anonymously. Poison pen letters are usually composed and sent to upset the recipient...
letters are sent by somebody signing as Le Corbeau (the Raven). The letters start by accusing doctor Rémy Germain (Pierre Fresnay
Pierre Fresnay
Pierre Fresnay was a French stage and film actor.Born Pierre Jules Louis Laudenbach in Paris, France in 1897, he was encouraged by his uncle, the actor Claude Garry, to pursue a career in theater and film...
) of having an affair with Laura Vorzet (Micheline Francey), the pretty young wife of the elderly psychiatrist Dr. Vorzet (Pierre Larquey). Germain is also accused of practicing illegal abortions. Letters are then sent to virtually all the population of the town, but keep getting back at the initial victim, Dr Germain. The situation becomes serious when a patient of the hospital commits suicide with his straight razor
Straight razor
A straight razor is a razor with a blade that can fold into its handle. They are also called open razors and cut-throat razors.Although straight razors were once the principal method of manual shaving, they have been largely overshadowed by the safety razor, incorporating a disposable blade...
after the Raven writes to him that his cancer is terminal. Marie Corbin, a nurse in the infirmary, becomes a suspect and is arrested, but soon new letters arrive. Germain's lover Denise is suspected, only for Laura to be identified by material contained in her blotter. Germain agrees to sign an order committing Laura as insane, just before he is called away to a patient. Just as the ambulance takes Laura away, Germain returns and finds Vorzet dead at his desk, his throat cut by the cancer patient's mother as he was writing the Raven's final triumphant letter.
The film is loosely based on a famous anonymous letter case that started in the town of Tulle
Tulle
Tulle is a commune and capital of the Corrèze department in the Limousin region in central France. It is also the episcopal see of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulle...
(France) in 1917. Anonymous letters had been sent by somebody signing the eye of the tiger, accusing notable figures in the town of adultery
Adultery
Adultery is sexual infidelity to one's spouse, and is a form of extramarital sex. It originally referred only to sex between a woman who was married and a person other than her spouse. Even in cases of separation from one's spouse, an extramarital affair is still considered adultery.Adultery is...
.
Cast
- Pierre FresnayPierre FresnayPierre Fresnay was a French stage and film actor.Born Pierre Jules Louis Laudenbach in Paris, France in 1897, he was encouraged by his uncle, the actor Claude Garry, to pursue a career in theater and film...
: Doctor Rémy Germain - Ginette LeclercGinette LeclercGinette Leclerc was a French film actress. She appeared in nearly 90 films between 1932 and 1978. Her last TV appearance was in 1981.She was born Geneviève Lucie Menut in Paris, France and died in Paris...
: Denise Saillens - Pierre LarqueyPierre LarqueyPierre Larquey was a French film actor. He appeared in 214 films between 1913 and 1962. He was born in Citon-Cenac, France and died in Maisons-Laffitte, France.-Selected filmography:* Le Scandale...
: Doctor Michel Vorzet - Héléna MansonHéléna MansonElena Eugenia Manson was a French film actress. She appeared in 95 films between 1925 and 1989.-Selected filmography:* Le Corbeau * Return to Life * Clear the Ring...
: Marie Corbin - Pierre BertinPierre BertinPierre Bertin may refer to:*Pierre Bertin , French film and theatre actor, appeared in the film Les Tontons flingueurs*Théodore-Pierre Bertin, 18th and 19th century French author, who introduced shorthand to France...
: The Sub-Prefect - Liliane Maigné : Rolande Saillens
- Pierre Bertin : François
- Micheline Francey : Laura Vorzet
- Antoine BalpêtréAntoine BalpêtréAntoine Balpêtré was a French film actor. He appeared in 52 films between 1933 and 1963.-Selected filmography:* Le Corbeau * Dieu a besoin des hommes * Justice Is Done...
: Doctor Delorme - Louis SeignerLouis Seigner-Selected filmography:- External links :...
: Doctor Bertrand - Noël RoquevertNoël RoquevertNoël Roquevert was a French film actor. He appeared in over 180 films between 1932 and 1972.He was born in Doué-la-Fontaine, France and died in Douarnenez, France.-Selected filmography:* Le Corbeau...
: School Director Saillens - Jean BrochardJean BrochardJean Brochard was a French film actor. He appeared in over 100 films between 1933 and 1966.- Selected filmography :* Le Corbeau * Voyage sans espoir * A Lover's Return...
: Bonnevie - Gustave Gallet : Fayolle
- Bernard Lancret : The Postmaster Delorme
- Sylvie : Mother of cancerous Francois
- Jeanne Fusier-Gir : The Small-Wear Dealer
- Nicole Chollet : Vorzet's Maid
- Lucienne BogaertLucienne BogaertLucienne Bogaert, was a French actress...
: Woman - Palmyre Levasseur : Magistrate
- Marcel Delaître : Preacher
- Pierre Palau : The Postmaster
- Pâquerette
- Marie-Jacqueline Chantal
- Robert Clermont
- Étienne DecrouxÉtienne DecrouxÉtienne Decroux studied at Jacques Copeau's Ecole du Vieux-Colombier, where he saw the beginnings of what was to become his life's obsession–Corporeal Mime...
- Paul Barge
- Albert Brouett
- Eugène Yvernès
- Albert Malbert
External links
- Criterion Collection essay by Alan Williams