| HEAD
AGAINST THE WALL
Director Franju is best known for his
films Eyes Without a Face, Judex and the
harrowing documentary Blood of the Beasts.
Franju's prior training in documentaries
helps to bring a veneer of reality to
this harrowing glimpse within the walls
of an insane asylum.
Pierre Brasseur plays Marbeau, a traditionalist
"head doctor" who takes on the
case of young Francois (Jean-Paul Mocky).
Though not really insane, Francois has
been institutionalized for daring to defy
his wealthy father. The story is told
from Francois' point of view, as he teeters
on the edge of madness during his involuntary
internment. The film is essentially a
plea for more sensible treatment of the
mentally disturbed and the emotionally
distressed, calling for much-needed widespread
reforms — something that, alas,
was not readily forthcoming in the late
1950s.
video
source quality rating: B
|
