The Bride Wore Black (1968)

Mediocre Script Predictable with no Suspense

Which "Hitchcock" inspired this? Some of Alfred's camera work, perhaps, the sort that has become a cliche in serial killer flicks. This script, however, has far less subtlety than "Seven" and few surprises. Moreau is always appealing in some way, but she is so businesslike in this role that the apparent fascination that her victims show for her is not credible even as comic parody of predatory men. Two of the revenge killings had promising storylines. One of these worked well. In the second she was an artist's model in a character that parodied the men, but the parody wasn't highlighted, the episode missed opportunities for added interest and thus seemed too long for nothing. Same for the film. August 5, 2008

He did to Hitchcock what the Germans did to Poland in WW2

I was expecting at least a glimpse of the substance present in the Hitchcock movies. After all, the movie is supposed to be a homage to the creator of Psycho, Vertigo and Rear Window. Instead, all we got is some style and a plot with less suspense than the average scooby-doo episode. It has a lot in common with B-movies such as the Theatre of Blood (1973 - Vincent Price), where all you get to expect is a series of killings. If watching a mad and average looking woman for two hours, who will stop at nothing to get her "revenge" (even using a 5-year old so she can turn him into an orphan) excites you, than this movie is for you. August 30, 2007

A wonderful Hitchcockian black comedy of murder and revenge by Truffaut, starring Jeanne Moreau

Truffaut said The Bride Wore Black was his homage to Hitchcock. A great homage it is, with that Bernard Herrmann score, murderous psychological ambiguity, bad things happening on warm, sunlit days and a complex -- and looney -- main character. Think of it as a black comedy with enough riffs on Vertigo to smile at. Just as importantly, while the film may be Truffaut's homage to Hitchcock, the film remains completely Truffaut's. It's one of his best, and features a wonderful performance by Jeanne Moreau as a woman whose husband is shot and killed as they're standing on the church steps just after they've been married. After recovering from the shock, depression and a suicide attempt, Julie Kohler decides to do something about the five men responsible. If you are unfortunate enough to hear the whispered words, "Je suis Julie Kohler," they will be the last words you'll ever hear.

Julie methodically checks off the names on her list as she finds ways to see that her version of justice is done. She may be obsessed, but she knows exactly what she's doing...and she is implacable. Jeanne Moreau, with those plump, downward-turning lips and puffy smoker's eyes, has never been better. Moreau is an extraordinary actress. She had features that at times could seem almost coarse, but then almost beautiful and certainly desirable. She had a strange fusion of intelligence which challenged and a vastly intriguing nature. I could easily picture her watching Casanova with those reserved, quiet eyes while he struggled to mumble self-consciously, "I love you." Moreau can do more with a stare, a look, a glance than just about any actress I know.

As much as the movie is a joy to watch, the last five minutes has a conclusion that is unexpected and completely satisfying. I think even Hitchcock would have had a smile on his face as he patted Truffaut on the back.

The Bride Wore Black has a fine DVD transfer. It is not anamorphic. There are no extras of any importance. Let's hope it gets reissued not only anamorphic, but with the substantial extras on Truffaut and Moreau the film deserves. For those fans of Truffaut and Hitchcock, you may find of interest Hitchcock (Revised Edition) by Helen G. Scott and Francois Truffaut. The book covers the lengthy interviews Truffaut had with Hitchcock as they discussed Hitchcock's work and each of his films. December 3, 2006

The Bride Wore Black (1968) - Francois Truffaut

The Bride Wore Black is yet another average film by the always irregular French director Francois Truffaut. Truffaut is such a talented director that it's a shame he never quite found his place before his untimely death. Barrowing elements from Hitchcock, and mixing it with some oddly placed comedy, The Bride Wore Black is a mishmash of cruelty and farse that never comes together to form anything coherent. Visually the film is good, and the music is nice and fitting, but none of these elements saves the ridiculous story from veering off in too many different directions. The Bride Wore Black is ultimately a film that doesn't know what it wants to be, just as Truffaut never quite found what type of films he wanted to make. October 14, 2005

An entertaining murder melodrama!

Dedicated to Hitchcock, whom Truffaut admired so much, it tells us the sordid revenge of a suddenly when leaving behind the church minutes ago, his husband is shot by three men. He will assume the role of Fair Agent even she has to be in jail in order to come to the last act.
Jeanne Moreau as always was magnificent and the rest of the cast too.

October 9, 2005

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