Sunday 17 September 2023

Le Boucher (1970 Claude Chabrol & scr)

In a small town in the Dordogne region of southwest France, a single, dedicated schoolmistress strikes up a relationship with the local butcher, whilst in the background, a series of murders takes place...

Yes. What a simple idea. A lot depends on Stéphane Audran and Jean Yanne, and they really deliver with buckets of naturalism. The ending is absolutely unguessable and unforgettable. The significance of the flashing elevator button only becomes clear after. A little gem.

Chabrol directs through a zoom lens, looked after by Jean Rabier. Atonal music from Pierre Jansen adds a dimension. Good sound, too. A highly impressive film.





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