Carnival of Sinners (1943)
February 7, 2025 12:33 PM - Subscribe
"A struggling artist buys a talisman that gives him love, fame and wealth. The talisman is a severed left hand, and it works perfectly, in fact, magically. But of course there is nothing free in this world, and after one year the devil comes and asks for his due."
Made by Maurice Tourneur (Jacques father) and starring Pierre Fresnay. Also called, La Main du diable ("The Devil's Hand"). A surprising film I never heard of until now. In this atmospheric re-telling of the Faust legend, a struggling artist purchases - for one sou - a talisman in the form of a severed left hand, which grants him all his wishes - for a price. Made under the occupation in collaborationist Vichy, it was a political allegory to France's pact with the 'Devil', made obvious perhaps to its history-minded audiences. German expressionistically terrific. 8/10.
The trailer.
3.7 on Letterboxd.
7.3 on IMDb.
Made by Maurice Tourneur (Jacques father) and starring Pierre Fresnay. Also called, La Main du diable ("The Devil's Hand"). A surprising film I never heard of until now. In this atmospheric re-telling of the Faust legend, a struggling artist purchases - for one sou - a talisman in the form of a severed left hand, which grants him all his wishes - for a price. Made under the occupation in collaborationist Vichy, it was a political allegory to France's pact with the 'Devil', made obvious perhaps to its history-minded audiences. German expressionistically terrific. 8/10.
The trailer.
3.7 on Letterboxd.
7.3 on IMDb.
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posted by away for regrooving at 11:06 PM on February 8