MovieChat Forums > The 13th Letter (1951) Discussion > Question about ending

Question about ending

posted 17 years ago by dwpollar
4 replies | jump to latest

Does anyone understand who the person leaving the scene was that supposedly killed Doctor Laurent at the end of the movie?? I'm guessing that this person was working with Doctor Laurent on the writing of the letters or maybe she knew that he wrote the letter to the French-Canadian war hero who killed himself(which would mean that the person walking away was the war hero's mom). My copies of this movie aren't that great and it's hard to see who the person is. If you've seen this movie and have an idea let me know what it is.

[–] jeff_bailey44 17 years ago

Dr. Laurent's wife was made to write the letters under the influence of her husband. It was indeed the war hero's mother who killed the doctor to avenge her son's suicide.

A very atmospheric suspenser and a decent remake of Clouzot's French classic, Le Corbeau.

[–] jolypm 16 years ago

There are many French Canadian actors in this movie. Where has it been filmed? Thank you.

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 16 years ago

In Canada, not far from Quinn's Dairy.

Nothing is more beautiful than nothing.

[–] verbumctf 15 years ago

I read (Silver/Ward. 'Film Noir, Encyclopedic Reference') that this was filmed at five locations, all in Quebec: St. Hyacinthe, St. Denis, St. Charles, St. Hilaire, and St. Marc.
These places all come across in the film as one small town.
Atmosphere of time and place is memorably well caught. The bits of French dialogue completely realistic (though we don't get that funny twang of the specifically Quebec French accent).
Undoubtedly, Dr. Laurent was killed by the mother of the young veteran (played by the great French actress Francoise Rosay. Even in so slight a part as here--she's great).
Remember earlier in the film she told the young Dr. Pearson she knew he didn't send the letter to her son. She was conducting her own inquiry!

A very fine film (different and with different virtues from the Clouzot original which, as everyone says who's seen both, is more 'mordant' or 'corosive').
Why is it commercially unavailable and almost unknown!!