Eyes Without a Face (1959) – Film Review

Director: Georges Franju
Cast: Pierre Brasseur, Alida Valli, Juliette Mayniel
Certificate: 15

By Sarah Morgan

Mark Kermode must have seen thousands of movies during his long career as a critic, so when he counts one as among the 10 best he’s ever seen, you really should sit up and take notice.

But then again, if you’re a film fan and haven’t heard of Eyes Without a Face, it’s maybe time you took a long, hard look at yourself…

“Disturbed”

Georges Franju’s 1960 chiller is regarded as one of the most stylish and compelling movies of its kind, revered by critics and audiences alike, and mixing pulp-style crime with elements of gothic horror. It’s also shot, in part, like a German Expressionist movie, in stark black and white.

At the centre of the story is Christianne, an ethereal figure who was left hideously scarred by a car accident. Her distraught father, plastic surgeon Dr Genessier, is determined to create a new face for her by perfecting his transplant technique.

However, to do so, he must kidnap and maim innocent girls – and as his experiments continually fail, he needs more unwitting guinea pigs whose disappearances are beginning to attract police attention. Meanwhile, the psychological impact of his failure and her predicament take their toll on an increasingly disturbed Christianne.

Although Pierre Brasseur as Genessier, and Alida Valli, recognisable to Hollywood audiences thanks to her roles in such films as The Third Man and Hitchcock’s The Paradine Case, nominally head the cast, it’s Edith Scob’s haunting performance as Christianne that dominates the film.

We mostly see only her eyes behind a blandly disturbing mask that is as iconic as those worn by slasher movie legends Michael Myers from the Halloween franchise and Friday the 13th’s Jason Voorhees.

“Heartrending”

The character is not, however, a monster, but instead someone we feel pity for, a young woman trapped in a horrifying situation she cannot control – until she finds a way to end her misery forever. Although I’m not as enamoured with the film as Kermode, I do admire it, particularly Scob’s heartrending performance.

As ever with a BFI release, there are plenty of special features to add context and background, including a new audio commentary from critic and author Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, short films directed by Franju, a documentary about his career and an interview with Scob herself, recorded in 2014.

Sarah Morgan( Writer )

Sarah Morgan studied film journalism at post-graduate level with the BFI and has been writing about TV and film for PA Media’s newspaper, magazine and new media customers since 1996. She’s also written for a wide range of other publications, both online and in print, including the book Offbeat and Intermission magazine, and is a regular contributor to the Talking Pictures TV podcast. When she isn’t watching movies, she’s collecting and reading vintage crime and horror paperback books or, for her sins, watching her beloved Sheffield Wednesday.

You do not have any posts.

FAQs – Eyes Without a Face (1960) 4K UHD

What is Eyes Without a Face about?

A brilliant but deranged surgeon tries to restore his daughter’s disfigured face – kidnapping young women for experimental transplants.

Who directed it?

Georges Franju – a key French filmmaker blending pulp, poetry and gothic horror.

Who stars in it?

Pierre Brasseur as Dr Génessier – Alida Valli as his assistant – Edith Scob as Christianne behind the iconic mask.

Why is the film so influential?

Its stark black-and-white imagery, haunting mask and morally charged story shaped later filmmakers – from John Carpenter to Pedro Almodóvar.

Is it very graphic?

Certificate 15 – a few surgical sequences are unsettling, but the tone is more eerie and poetic than gory.

What is the runtime and original format?

90 minutes – French language with English subtitles – original aspect ratio 1.66:1.

What is on the BFI 4K UHD release?

Restored 4K UHD (Dolby Vision, HDR10 compatible) – reversible sleeve – first pressing booklet – plus a substantial set of extras.

Which special features stand out?

New commentary by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas – commentary by Tim Lucas – Franju shorts – a career documentary – a 2014 interview with Edith Scob – trailer.

When is the UHD release date?

20 October – check retailers for the exact year and availability.

What are the audio details?

DTS-HD MA 1.0 mono – 48 kHz / 24-bit – French language – English subtitles.

How does Edith Scob’s performance contribute?

Her near-silent, masked portrayal makes Christianne tragic rather than monstrous – the eyes convey the film’s core emotion.

Is there an English audio option?

The BFI UHD is presented in French with English subtitles – check the product listing for any additional audio tracks.

Is this suitable for newcomers to classic horror?

Yes – it is atmospheric, elegant and story-driven – an essential entry point into European gothic cinema.