Interesting thriller verging on fantasy ,which was released at the wrong time; it's definitely fifties stuff ,in black and white, the director's screenplay probably inspired by Stanislas André Steeman .
Good use of the settings ,the unsettling manor where strange crimes are committed, disturbing lightnings ,and a whodunit side: the suspects are numerous : is the commander (Noel Roquevert)in his wheelchair who enjoys chess really disabled ? Is the Asiatic servant a fiend? Does the scientist's daughter speak the truth?
Raymond Souplex was the superintendent of the era ; his young lieutenant is smartly introduced ; he 's played by François Deguelt ,essentially a singer who would have a big hit in 1965 ("le ciel ,le soleil et la mer" ) ,an offbeat choice ;and sing,Deguelt does ,but his self-penned song is bland and comes at the most awkward moment :a car chase! But ,as Daniel Emilfork ,one of the scariest faces of the French cinema is involved ,one can be merciful.
Good use of the settings ,the unsettling manor where strange crimes are committed, disturbing lightnings ,and a whodunit side: the suspects are numerous : is the commander (Noel Roquevert)in his wheelchair who enjoys chess really disabled ? Is the Asiatic servant a fiend? Does the scientist's daughter speak the truth?
Raymond Souplex was the superintendent of the era ; his young lieutenant is smartly introduced ; he 's played by François Deguelt ,essentially a singer who would have a big hit in 1965 ("le ciel ,le soleil et la mer" ) ,an offbeat choice ;and sing,Deguelt does ,but his self-penned song is bland and comes at the most awkward moment :a car chase! But ,as Daniel Emilfork ,one of the scariest faces of the French cinema is involved ,one can be merciful.
