This entry from France, is a different type of horror story. It does have something in common with American horror films. A well meaning, but deranged doctor, thinks his work, is for the greater good. Drs. Jekyll and Frankenstein come to mind. This particular physician’s name is Genessier, (Pierre Brasseur). He is like Jekyll; very respected by his colleagues, and the community. He is tortured by the fact, that his daughter, Christiane, (Edith Scobe), is horribly scarred, because of a car accident. He was driving the vehicle, and his daughter, blames him, for her appearance. It has caused her to be a recluse, and forced to wear a mask, by her father. She is a haunted figure, staying mostly in her room, and occasionally roaming the hallways and living areas.
Her father doesn’t seek out medical help. He has decided to fix his daughter’s appearance, on his own. He is a skilled plastic surgeon. His methods are extreme, and the exact opposite of Doctor Frankenstein. He kidnaps women to to use their face, to reconstruct his daughter’s face. He has no qualms about casually disposing of their bodies, afterward. Dr. Genessier, is assisted in this macabre practice, by Louise, (Alida Valli). Louise, has a warped sense of loyalty. The doctor fixed her scarred face, and she will do anything for him. This includes disposing of physical evidence, staging fake funerals, and keeping watch over Christiane.
The film reaches its creepiest stage, when the actual surgery, is performed. This includes a graphic cutting and peeling, of the victim’s face. The surgery appears successful, but in time, fails. This gives Christiane deep guilty feelings, as well as hate and disgust, toward her father and Louise. They play out, and she acts upon them. The freeing of the dogs, by Christiane, during the climax, is her fury unleashed. This also provides one of the more graphic scenes in a horror film.The movie, like Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, proves that the road to hell, is paved with good intentions.
Georges Franju was primarily a film historian. He did direct a few films. Eyes Without a Face, gives human perspectives on the horror film. It does have a disturbing beginning. A car stops, and the driver dumps a body in the water. This scene, immediately announces that you are watching a disturbing film. The scene that shows Christiane’s scarred face, is the shock factor. She wanders into her father’s operating room. The victim-skin donor, briefly awakens from anesthesia. She sees Christiane’s scarred face, through blurred vision, and screams, before drifting back to sleep. This scene is reminiscent of Eric being unmasked, in The Phantom of the Opera. The movie like many horror films, specifically Frankenstein, has an element of pathos. This is brought out, mainly by Christiane, but also by Louise. She can’t seem to separate gratitude from a very warped sense of loyalty to the doctor. Eyes Without a Face, was made during the French New Wave Era. Although that part of cinematic history is known for heavy drama, this movie fits. Georges Franju uses that style, to create a horror film, that concentrates on humans, who become monsters.