Eyes Without a Face

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Eyes Without a Face

Released Oct 31, 1962

1h 30m

Horror

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

60 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Dr. Génessier (Pierre Brasseur) is riddled with guilt after an accident that he caused disfigures the face of his daughter, the once beautiful Christiane (Edith Scob), who outsiders believe is dead. Dr. Génessier, along with accomplice and laboratory assistant Louise (Alida Valli), kidnaps young women and brings them to the Génessier mansion. After rendering his victims unconscious, Dr. Génessier removes their faces and attempts to graft them on to Christiane's.

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Critics Consensus

A horrific tale of guilt and obsession, Eyes Without a Face is just as chilling and poetic today as it was when it was first released.

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Michael Wilmington

Chicago Tribune

Eyes Without a Face is a perfect example of how cinematic poetry can transform a seemingly disreputable movie genre.

Rated: 3.5/4

Oct 14, 2014

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Scott Tobias

The Dissolve

Eyes Without A Face is a classic anomaly, out of step with its time (and any other), with mysteries that lingered long enough for critics finally to be intoxicated by them.

Rated: 5/5

Oct 14, 2013

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Tim Purtell

Entertainment Weekly

One of those rare horror films that induces discomfort by showing practically nothing.

Rated: A-

Oct 6, 2013

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Bianca Garner

Filmotomy

Shot in crisp black and white, Eyes Without a Face is a gothic fairytale, crossed between a film noir with a good old dash of psychological horror thrown in. More importantly, it’s not like anything that had come before it and it still stands up today.

Oct 3, 2024

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Penelope Gilliatt

Observer (UK)

The whole film has a ghastly elegance that often suggests Tennessee Williams in one of his more aberrant moods.

Feb 20, 2024

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Stephanie Archer

Film Inquiry

Tastefully done and exquisitely horrific, Eyes Without a Face delivers exactly the right amount of terror making it easy to see why it is such an enduring horror classic.

Sep 30, 2023

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William B

Best french film I've ever watched. Must-see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/11/24

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Julian S

“Eyes Without a Face” unfolds like a dark poem, revealing just enough to let your imagination spiral into terror. It’s hauntingly beautiful.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/28/24

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Sam G

This film is smart, well-written, and considerably more realistic and vastly less gory than most horror fare. Still, by contemporary standards, it really drags along at a glacially slow pace. Christiane, by far the most sympathetic character, could have brought the insanity to an end at any time by refusing treatment; had her father refused, she could have simply taken her own life rather than let multiple young women be murdered--pointlessly--on her behalf. There aren't really any diabolical figures here, just relatively ordinary people trapped by wretched circumstances. There is not really any menace or any conventionally scary scenes. I suspect most people who are not expecting an arthouse film will be disappointed.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/20/24

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Quinn E

i dont speak french

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/11/24

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Wolfgang G

Augen ohne Gesicht ist ein französisch-italienischer Schwarz-Weiß-Film, der Elemente des Thrillers und des Horrorfilms vereint. … Ein Chirurg verursacht einen Unfall und entstellt seine Tochter. Er geht zu weit, um ihr ein neues Gesicht zu geben. … Ein Klassiker, der sich durch seine Mischung aus Horrorfilm und Märchen auszeichnet. Ein Meisterwerk des Horrors und der Poesie. ….

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/03/24

Full Review

Alexander B

A hauntingly beautiful masterpiece that stands the test of time. Georges Franju masterfully blends elements of a gothic horror and a psychological thriller creating an atmosphere that is both eerie and poetic. The cinematography by Eugen Schüfftan coupled with the hauntingly beautiful score by Maurice Jarre creates an atmosphere that is both mesmerizing and dread-inducing. Its influence on subsequent generations of filmmakers is undeniable, and its ability to disturb and enchant audiences remains as potent today as it was over sixty years ago. This film is a must-watch for any lover of cinema.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/29/24

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Georges Franju

Director

Pierre Brasseur

Doctor Génessier

Alida Valli

Louise

Edith Scob

Christiane Genessier

Juliette Mayniel

Edna Grüber

François Guérin

Jacques Vernon

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Synopsis

Dr. Génessier (Pierre Brasseur) is riddled with guilt after an accident that he caused disfigures the face of his daughter, the once beautiful Christiane (Edith Scob), who outsiders believe is dead. Dr. Génessier, along with accomplice and laboratory assistant Louise (Alida Valli), kidnaps young women and brings them to the Génessier mansion. After rendering his victims unconscious, Dr. Génessier removes their faces and attempts to graft them on to Christiane's.

Director: Georges Franju
Producer: Jules Borkon
Screenwriter: Pierre Boileau, Pierre Gascar, Thomas Narcejac, Jean Redon, Claude Sautet
Distributor: United Artists, Lopert Pictures Corp., Rialto Pictures
Production Co: Champs-Élysées Production, Lux Film S.p.a.
Genre: Horror, Drama
Original Language: Canadian French
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 31, 1962, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 29, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $52.7K
Runtime: 1h 30m

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