Experiment in Evil

1960 1h 35m FR

👍

6.7

SOLID

★6.7TMDB · 50

TV MovieScience FictionHorror

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Dr. Cordelier, living in a suburb of Paris, withdraws from society to pursue research into the functioning of the human brain. His lifelong friend, Maître Joly, becomes concerned when Cordelier draws up a will that bequeaths his entire estate to a stranger, Monsieur Opale; he cannot understand why Cordelier defends him, considering Opale attacks women and children. After a colleague is killed, Joly confronts Cordelier and discovers the truth behind his friend's behavior.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

WhatsApp X Facebook Telegram

Cast

Jean-Louis Barrault
Dr. Cordelier / Opale
Teddy Bilis
Joly
Michel Vitold
Dr. Lucien Severin
Sylviane Margollé
Little Girl Attacked by Opale
Jacques Danoville
Commissioner Lardaut
André Certes
Inspector Salbris
Jean-Pierre Granval
Boss of the Short-Time Hotel
Jean Bertho
First Passer-By during the Aggression

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Jean Renoir
Writers: Jean Renoir
Languages: French
Countries: France

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

ERA

Did you know

66 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Jean Renoir, shot by Georges Leclerc. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Joseph Kosma. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Renée Lichtig shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

ERA

Did you know

Jean-Louis Barrault and Teddy Bilis and Michel Vitold carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0053348 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

Only 50 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Jean Renoir directs. Georges Leclerc behind the camera. Joseph Kosma scores. Renée Lichtig cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in France. Dialogue in French.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

166 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
2Directed by Jean Renoir, shot by Georges Leclerc. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
3Original score by Joseph Kosma. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
4Editor Renée Lichtig shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Jean-Louis Barrault and Teddy Bilis and Michel Vitold carry the top of the cast.
6IMDB entry: tt0053348 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
7Only 50 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.