Review of Eyes Without a Face (1960) by Liam U — 17 Aug 2011

Wow! A psychotic plastic surgeon (Brasseur) becomes obsessed with grafting when he accidently damages his daughter Christiane's (Scob) face in a car accident. With the help of his brutal nurse (Valli), the doctor begins to use other girls faces so he can restore Christianes beauty once again.

As disgusting as "Eyes Without a Face" is, there is more to it. This artfully crafted film was directed by Georges Franju in 1959, and it has barely aged. One of the first memorable pointers is the fact that this film is French.

I thought because it was foreign as well as black-and-white, this movie would not be to scary, but I was wrong. This film is full of spine-tingling situations, and that grafting scene, lets just say I fast-forwarded through the whole thing.

Even what youre witnessing might be scary, theres not a scream, no music, and not a single word said, which makes the moment all the more intense. Even audiences back in 1960 fainted, and that enough proves that its terrifying.

The cinematography is absolutely incredible, you felt as if you were actually there, and the black-and-white was perfectly used. Besides that, the acting is absolutely great. Scob is well- casted in her role as the tortured Christiane, and though hardly a word is said, the emotions that she somehow shows through that creepy mask is evident.

Valli is also great to take note of. The only other films I have seen her in so far is the well-known "The Third Man", and another horror classic "Suspiria". Her performance in this certainly is ten times better, and just seeing her alone is worth a look.

And the so- called mad doctor portrayed by Brasseur is one of the most compelling performances I have even seen. You know for a fact that hes no Frankenstein, but his madness has all derived from the guilt that he has ruined his daughters life, which even brings sympathy.

"Eyes Without a Face" is a masterpiece.