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Michel Serrault gives an extraordinary perfomance as ‘Dr Petiot’, a serial killer who lured Jews into his trap by offering them protection from the Nazis. The film’s expressionistic quality, emphasised by the heavy make-up of Petiot, and the deep focus photography, gives the film a nightmare quality reminiscent of the early German silent horror films. Indeed the film opens with scenes from one such film, plunging us into a world of evil. Based on a true character, Serrault’s perfomance is chilling.
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Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
304620
Language
French
Audience classification
PG
Subject categories
Advertising, Film, Journalism, Mass Media & TV → Expressionism in motion pictures
Crime, Espionage, Justice, Police & Prisons → Serial murderers
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Colour
Holdings
VHS; Access Print (Section 1)