Georges Franju was a pioneer in the horror genre. Watching this film, I realized where many modern horror films got their inspirations. I can see where "Eyes Without a Face" inspired films such as "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", "The Hills Have Eyes", "Halloween" and "Face/Off". There are probably numerous other films that this has inspired including many Dario Argento films. Stunningly shot in poetically crisp black and white, the whole film looks and feels elegant. The gruesome images in this film are not compromised and would not be out of place in a Rob Zombie film.
The most fascinating aspect of "Eyes Without a Face" is the family of villains, the professor, the lover and the daughter who is going crazy. Unlike countless other films where the villains are mutants or the drecks of society, this film shows them as the upper crust of France living in a huge mansion. There is one chilling sequence where you think the daughter is not aware of the horrors going on and she will be shocked by the insanity. Then you realize slowly that she is not only not shocked but an active participant of the horror show. Powerful filmmaking indeed.
The story follows a surgeon/professor who is trying to fix her daughter's disfigured face. Which is noble and all but wait until you see how he and his lover do this for the sake of the beloved daughter. Starring Alida Valli, Pierre Brasseur and Edith Scob, Franju's horror classic awes the audience with some horrific but truly beautiful sequences of mayhem that are unforgettable. The ending has echos of "Frankenstein" and presents a sequence of madness that is as pathetic as it is lyrical.
This definitely ranks up there with "Psycho" as the seminal masterpieces of the genre.
Not Rated but recommended for adults for gruesome images and violence
Aspect Ratio: 1.85
French
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