Eyes Without a Face (1960)

 George Franju's "Eyes Without a Face"


An early influence in the horror genre, George Franju's 1960 film "Eyes Without a Face," was very much disliked upon its initial release. Centering on a doctor who kidnaps young girls in order to transplant their face onto his disfigured daughter's face, the film caused much controversy. Many critics felt the B-movie horror was too low brow for acclaimed director George Franju and many audiences left their theaters, particularly during the heterografting sequence. However, the film has since become a cult classic and has influenced numerous films thereafter.

I personally found the film to be rather dull. In fact, whilst reading the reviews of the film when it came out in the 1960s, I completely agree with most of them. I particularly agree with the review from "Variety," which notes of the film's "stilted acting, asides to explain characters and motivations, and a repetition of effects lose the initial impact" and an "unclear progression and plodding direction give [the film] an old-fashioned air." I felt very unconcerned with the film and it's directionless plodding. I particularly enjoyed the heterografting sequence however, as I felt it was rather extreme and innovative for the time. Beyond that, the film provided me nothing and didn't seem to be able to transcend timelessness.



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