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The Testament of Dr. Cordelier

Play trailer The Testament of Dr. Cordelier 1959 1h 35m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 48% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
A scientist turns into a violent madman after sampling a formula developed to separate good from evil.

Critics Reviews

View All (6) Critics Reviews
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews An enjoyable and subversive parody on both B-film horror stories from the 1950s and mental health caregivers by legendary French director Jean Renoir. Rated: B+ Jan 5, 2011 Full Review Fernando F. Croce CinePassion Picnic on the Grass suggests the harmony between mind and libido, but here Renoir savors the possibilities of the human split Sep 25, 2009 Full Review Doug Cummings Filmjourney It's the kind of role that can inspire brilliance, and Barrault is remarkable, suggesting a deranged mime who moves in a series of spasms and ticks before breaking into wild, inexplicable violence. Oct 31, 2007 Full Review Jeremy Heilman MovieMartyr.com By stressing the universal elements of Stevenson's story, Renoir eradicates the creakiness of the plot, spinning the tale into something that still feels relevant. Rated: 76/100 Jul 28, 2007 Full Review Sean Axmaker Turner Classic Movies Online The film shifts tones and rhythms almost uncomfortably... Apr 26, 2007 Full Review Shawn Levy Oregonian Turns out to be one of the best movie versions of the classic story. Rated: B+ Apr 24, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (9) audience reviews
Audience Member Not one of Renoir's best, but just looking at Jean-Louis Barrault's double performance it is enough! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member It's a good telling of the Doctor Jekyl, Mr. Hyde type tale, only it doesn't really add much. I'm not sure why Renoir felt the need to tell this oft' told story... Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Cette adaptation par Jean Renoir du celebre "Dr Jeckyll et Mr Hyde" est sympathique et divertissante, sans atteindre toutefois l'intensite dramatique de la version de Victor Fleming, avec Spencer Tracy et Ingrid Bergman (ma version preferee a ce jour). Jean-Louis Barrault fait la demonstration ici de tout son talent corporel, en campant a la fois le Dr Cordelier, notable sec et rigide, tout en retenue, et son double malefique, Opale, aux allures de clochard degingande, a la violence pulsionnelle, imprevisible. Renoir respecte la trame archi-connue du recit de Stevenson, en additionnant trois points de vue, trois niveaux de narration. Tout commence avec Renoir lui-meme, sur un plateau de television, qui introduit l'histoire du Dr Cordelier, au moment ou il designe Opale comme son legataire chez son notaire. C'est le notaire qui sert ensuite de point d'ancrage. Puis on finit avec la confession du Dr Cordelier. Cette derniere partie est de loin la plus captivante du film, la plus impertinente. Cordelier avoue ses fantasmes, le sentiment de toute-puissance que lui confere parfois sa situation sociale et son statut de medecin (il aimerait abuser de ses patientes). Ces fantasmes, sa morale les reprouve, mais Opale est bel et bien la, avant l'experience scientifique qui le fera apparaitre physiquement. Il est juste tapi dans l'ombre. Contrairement a la plupart des adptations du roman de Stevenson, Renoir donne a Opale/Hyde l'apparence d'un type fluet, maigre, a la demarche legere, qui se deplace tel un furet. Une excellente idee, car ce predateur, "ca" monstrueux de Cordelier/Jeckyll, est un etre totalement libere de la pesanteur de la morale, de la bienseance, des civilites. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Audience Member A bit too much over acting by current standards. Story as such is good (as it's based an true classic) but it makes it also too predictable. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member The last half an hour is brilliant. Unfortunately what comes before it is rather dull. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Audience Member very sterile and uninteresting rehash of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, expected a lot more from Renoir..... Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Testament of Dr. Cordelier

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis A scientist turns into a violent madman after sampling a formula developed to separate good from evil.
Director
Jean Renoir
Screenwriter
Jean Renoir
Production Co
ORTF
Genre
Horror
Original Language
French (France)
Runtime
1h 35m