THE TESTAMENT OF DR CORDELIER

France, 1959, 95 minutes, Black and white.
Jean- Louis Barrault.
Directed by Jean Renoir.

The Testament of Dr Cordelier is a film by celebrated French director, Jean Renoir. Best known for his films of the '30s, the classics The Rules of the Game and The Grand Illusion, he spent some time in Hollywood during World War II making such films as Swamp Water, This Land is Mine, The Southerner.

On his return to France after the war, he continued to make films. However, the classics of the '30s remain his masterpieces. This film is a variation on the Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde theme, updating it to the '50s.

1.The work of Jean Renoir? Adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson? Adaptation to France in the '50s?

2.The Parisian settings, the city and the streets, the home of Dr Cordelier? The laboratory? Musical score?

3.The title, the focus on the will, Dr Cordelier and his relationship with M'sieur Opale? The lawyer and his drawing up the will for Dr Cordelier?

4.The perspective of the investigation of the assaults? The discovery of Dr Cordelier's behaviour rather than seeing it through his eyes and sharing his experiences of transformation? The tape and the lawyer hearing the reality of Dr Cordelier's experiments?

5.The opening brutality, the assaults, M'sieur Opale? The reaction of the people around? The police, their investigations?

6.Dr Cordelier and his reputation? Appearances? Gentlemanly - but audience suspicions? His leaving his money to M'sieur Opale? The lawyer and the discussions? The investigations? The truth? The lawyer confronting Cordelier? The tape and his confession? Self-destruction? Opale and his perverted perspective on life? Death?

7.The staff of the house, Desiree, Georges? Service, protection of the doctor?

8.The lawyer, ordinary citizen, protecting his client, knowing the secret, the investigations, entering the house, listening to the tape, the discovery of the truth?

9.The continual popularity of the Jekyll and Hyde story? Psychological aspects of ego and shadow? 19th century origins? Adapted for the 20th century?