MovieChat Forums > La main du diable (1947) Discussion > Deserves to be more widely known

Deserves to be more widely known

posted 12 years ago by Tchoutoye
3 replies | jump to latest

The 1940s was an amazing period for metaphysical films that could be simultaneously sophisticated and mainstream. La main du diable is a classic variation on the Faust story that lies somewhere between "A Matter of Life and Death" by Powell & Pressburger and the films of Val Lewton. Spookier than the former, yet not as spooky as the RKO films by Tourneur Jr. and Mark Robson from the same period. There's also a touch of Jean Cocteau, who gets a nod in the film ("Cocktails at Cocteau's !" shouts a typical French art lover as they prepare to leave an art exhibition.)

If you're a fan of any of the directors referenced above, or of late 50s to late 60s Ingmar Bergman, be sure to check this one out.

[–] Catfishbunter 11 years ago

Agreed. This is an excellent film and I am quiet surprised that it has received such little fanfare. One of the best moody horror films of the era.

[–] Sproketer 11 years ago

Agreement here as well. This film got under my skin in subtle, gentle ways, and the story was irresistible.

[–] denham 9 years ago

Good film. For those interested, the story bears a marked resemblance to 'The Bottle Imp' by Robert Louis Stevenson (which has a slightly happier conclusion).

In connexion with which, Wikipedia adds:

Bottle Imp paradox

The premise of the story creates a logical paradox similar to the unexpected hanging paradox. Clearly no rational person would buy it for one cent as this would make it impossible for it to be sold at a loss. However, it follows that no rational person would buy it for two cents either if it is later to be sold only to a rational person for a loss. By induction, the bottle cannot be sold for any price in a perfectly rational world. And yet, the actions of the people in the story do not seem particularly unwise.

The story shows that the paradox can be resolved by the existence of one of four types of characters:

Someone who loves the bottle's current owner enough to sacrifice his or her own soul for that person.
Someone who believes he or she is inevitably destined for Hell already.
Someone who believes he or she will never die.
Someone who believes there is someone else willing to make an irrational decision to purchase the bottle.

I beseech ye in the bowels of Christ, think that ye may be mistaken.