The Knight of the Night

Written by Jean Anouilh,the screenplay is a big disappointment: it borrows from "La Belle Et La Bête" (the castle ) ,then it becomes a parboiled cross between "Dr Jekill and Mr Hyde" and Poe's "William Wilson" .

We are told ,when the story begins ,that this movie was made for women who ,after their marriage ,are still dreaming of their Prince Charming ,are still feeling romantic ...Intended as a fairy tale,there's no magic at all.Do not expect Cocteau.Besides,interminable scenes of ballets -which are supposed to have a connection with the plot,but it escaped me- are mostly filler ,as is a horrible song in a cabaret.

Renée Saint-Cyr and Jean-Claude Pascal try their best .The actor could have been an ideal romantic lover .His career began as a Latin lover and ended dismally ..... with the part of an eunuch in the doomed "Angélique Et Le Sultan".

NB:Louis De Funes has a small part of a tailor.