The film opens with a mysterious crime. A woman drives her car at night and pulls over to the side of the road, where she dumps a dead body—possibly that of another woman—into a lake. Shortly after this opening scene, we are introduced to Dr. Génessier (Pierre Brasseur), a guest speaker on rejuvenation and organ transplantation from one human to another. Following his talk, Dr. Génessier receives word that a dead body has been found, which may be his missing daughter. When he attends the morgue and views the body firsthand, Dr. Génessier confirms that it is indeed his daughter, even though the body has a damaged face, with only the eyes remaining intact. However, there is more to this story than meets the eye.

We soon learn that Dr. Génessier is, in fact lying. His daughter remains alive and well but hidden away in secret. His daughter, Christiane (Édith Scob), was once a beautiful woman; however, due to an accident, her face was damaged. Her father, Dr. Génessier, carries large amounts of guilt and shame for this accident and is determined to repair her damaged face. In the meantime, Christiane is encouraged to wear a face mask to prevent further damage. Dr Génessier, along with his lab assistant, Louise (Alida Valli), are secretly kidnapping various women and surgically removing their faces, attempting to transplant the face on Christiane. Will Dr. Génessier and Louise repair Christiane’s face, or is there no hope for the family to ever find peace again?

Directed by Georges Franju, who is known for his previous films, including Judex (1963) and Shadowman (1974), Eyes Without a Face is a horror, perhaps even a “body horror”. In addition to its horror elements, the film incorporates a strong dramatic component, which pleasantly surprised me during my first viewing.

Both genres work wonderfully here. Concerning horror, there are plenty of eerie moments that are genuinely uncomfortable, including a key scene in which Dr. Génessier removes the skin and faces of an innocent woman to assist his daughter for the better. Visually, I adored this film. While I understand the black and white visuals result from the film being made in 1960, they look stunning for this film, especially given its themes and horror aspect. Minor details, including Christiane’s mask, are also a nice touch regarding horror and general creepiness.  The film’s location, including Dr. Génessier’s laboratory, is also great.

I found myself highly engaged with the film’s premise. Although it starts somewhat mysterious, the direction becomes evident as Dr. Génessier tells white lies for personal reasons. The film’s lead characters all grapple with deep hopelessness. Dr. Génessier is burdened with guilt and a determination for success, which puts him under immense pressure with each operation. Christiane, having experienced numerous setbacks, is on the verge of giving up as she continues to endure tragedy and suffering. Lastly, Louise, Dr. Génessier’s assistant, is passionate about her work, particularly given the rigorous selection process for the young women who are both candidates and test subjects. Each character is compelling and has unique stakes in the story. Though it is undeniably sad, I found the film’s ending rewarding and poignant.

Overall, this film is an excellent combination of horror and compelling drama. Made in the 1960s, the black-and-white visuals enhance the film’s themes and genre, creating a fitting atmosphere. I was surprisingly uncomfortable, especially during scenes involving the surgical removal of a face and skin. The characters are filled with hopelessness, yet they are distinct from one another, which kept me guessing about the conclusion and its hard-hitting outcomes. It is unpredictable, heartbreaking, and downright creepy. Eyes Without a Face is a classic that comes highly recommended.

Eyes Without A Face aka Les Yeux Sans Visage (1960), is Out Now on 4K UHD Blu-ray, thanks to Umbrella Entertainment!

7.7/10

Published: 4th January 2025

Written by: Peter Walkden

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