Along with james whales the great garrick, this 1949 melodrama about the french revolution, also known as the black book, is one of the few period pictures that qualify as film noir. Reign of terror is directed by anthony mann and written by aeneas mackenzie and phillip yordan. Fouche shows up and tells robespierre that there is a much easier way to get the black book from charles. Reign of terror, period of the french revolution from september 5, 1793, to july 27, 1794, during which the revolutionary government decided to take harsh measures against those suspected of being enemies of the revolution nobles, priests, and hoarders. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts.
Anthony mann in a cahiers du cinema interview the black book 1949, which was quickly retitled reign of terror, is surely one of the. Also known as reign of terror, the black book is a bold effort by director anthony mann to film a french revolution epic on a b detective picture budget. At the time this was written, the film had a rating of 7. Robert cummings in the black book i like the black book. The black book aka reign of terror dvd 1949 region 1. The black book 1949 robert cummings, richard basehart. The picture premiered in new orleans, louisiana, on june 16, 1949. Sol kaplan scores the music and john alton is the cinematographer. Reddit gives you the best of the internet in one place. Reign of terror, 179394, period of the french revolution 1 characterized by a wave of executions of presumed enemies of the state. The black book is the object that causes men to kill and lie and deceive one another because within its pages dwells great power to dictate the outcome of this kingdom on the precipice of something new. Dangerous dames, sharp, ratatat dialogue and danger lurking in the deep shadows as maximilien robespierres henchmen stalk the streets of paris looking for his stolen death book. The black book aka reign of terror 1949 approved 1h 29min history, romance, thriller 24 february 1950 finland robespierrre, a powerful figure in the french revolution, is desperately looking for his black book, a death list of those marked for the guillotine.
Whether or not that proves to be an optimistic direction very much depends on who gains access to said book. The new dvd of anthony manns great masterpiece the black book aka reign of terror 1949 is a vast improvement over the shoddy public domain editions. The plot starts in france in the year 1794robespierre is sowing panic among his opponents with the only reason to take over the power of the state stars. Its unquestionably film noir, even though the urban location here is paris in the eighteenth century, the time of the french revolution. Best known for his noir work often referred to as painting with light alton demonstrates his skill for creating atmosphere and suspense. High resolution official theatrical movie poster for the black book aka reign of terror 1949. Robert cummings stars as charles daubigny, who has been engaged by a group of political moderates to retrieve a little black book from revolutionary leader robespierre richard basehart. Philip yordan story and screenplay, aeneas mackenzie story and screenplay as aeneas. She looked perplexed, so maybe the later title of the black book was a better choice. It was released as reign of terror, but when it played new york later that year it was renamed the black book. Reign of terror reissued as the black book is a 1949 american film noir directed by anthony mann and starring robert cummings, richard basehart and. But the real star here is director anthony mann, whose blackandwhite compositions are clever and strikingone wonders if william cameron menzies, whos credited as producer, had some say in the look of the film. Associates programme, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to.
It stars robert cummings, richard basehart, richard hart, arlene dahl, charles mcgraw and arnold moss. Aug 29, 2014 our site is proudly sponsored by the running guide which is the most comprehensive guide to make anybody a successful runner. Terror by night full movie basil rathbone nigel bruce tcc ai color duration. Nov 17, 2017 reign of terrorthe black book 1949 posted on november 17, 2017 by 4starfilmfan. The mpeg2 file contains nav packets, so you can load it into dvdauthorgui and create a dvd to watch on your television.
Black book aka reign of terror 1949 anthony mann directs this historical adventure photographed in stunning black and white by the master of light and shadow, john. Who says film noir has to be confined to metropolitan streets. The black book reign of terror 1949 film robert cummings. The black book 1949 aka the reign of terror cinemagraphe. He nearly brings the mob to heel with his golden words, but fouche has his henchman shoot robespierre through the jaw, silencing him. Director anthony mann genres drama, adventure, history rating 7. Well you wish has come true, because in 1949, anthony mann made exactly that film, and here it is.
The films original working title was the black book. Dvd compare is a participant in the amazon services llc associates program and the amazon europe s. Starring robert cummings, richard basehart, richard hart, arlene dahl. A movie of the french revolution, starring robert cummings and richard basehart. Anthony mann robespierrre, a powerful figure in the french revolution. Its the black book or reign of terror a 1949 historical noir directed by anthony mann, photographed by john alton, script contributions by philip yordan and production design overseen by william cameron menzies. Tallien tells charles that now they can stop robespierre with the black book. Anthony mann and his cinematographer, john alton, took all the trappings of film noir and made a period piece about the reign of terror during the french.
Apr 25, 2015 a spy named charles daubigny robert cummnings seeks the notorious black book in which robespierre lists his intended victims, hoping to use it against the man to stop his rise to power. Reign of terror aka the black book 1949 film noir of. Anthony mann directs this historical adventure photographed in stunning black and white by the master of light and shadow, john alton. Plotters seek to bring down maximilien robespierre and end his bloodthirsty reign of terror. The spe transfer is the only version of this film worth buying. Anthony mann directed it with sumptuously arty chiaroscuro cinematography by. The black book, alternative name for the 1949 american drama film reign of terror, set in the french revolution. May 23, 2018 the black book 1949 by lightning at may 23, 2018 0 robespierre, a powerful figure in the french revolution and the subsequent reign of terror, is desperately looking for his black book, a death list of those marked by him for the guillotine and a key to help him eventually emerge as the countrys dictator. Also known as the reign of terror, this 89 minute film is a taunt actionhistorical.
Robespierre, a powerful figure in the french revolution and the subsequent reign of terror, is desperately looking for his black book, a death list of those marked by him for the guillotine and a key to help him eventually emerge as the countrys dictator. Robert cummings, richard basehart, richard hart director. Blazing introduction of historical characters richard basehart, jess barker, arnold moss, wade crosby, richard hart, norman lloyd then fictional daubigny robert cummings meeting lafayette wilton graff, opening anthony manns the black book a. Reign of terror reissued as the black book is a 1949 american film noir drama film directed by anthony mann and starring robert cummings. Reign of terror aka the black book 1949 film noir of the week. Jun 18, 2019 the central character pretends to be a torturer from strausbourg known as duval in order to gain robespierres confidence and find his black book. Also known as reign of terror, the black book is a bold effort by director anthony mann to film a french revolution epic on a. Robespierrre, a powerful figure in the french revolution, is desperately looking for his black book, a death list of those marked for the guillotine. The black book aka reign of terror movie poster imp awards. Dec 29, 2016 the black book aka reign of terror 1949 approved 1h 29min history, romance, thriller 24 february 1950 finland robespierrre, a powerful figure in the french revolution, is desperately looking for his black book, a death list of those marked for the guillotine. Reign of terror 1949 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more.
The black book aka reign of terror 1949 approved 1h 29min history, romance, thriller 24 february 1950 finland robespierrre. Robespierre black book lists his enemies, most of whom have, or will, end up on the guillotine. Reign of terror 1949 tortured by robespierre youtube. I saw this when it came out in 1949 and didnt even know what reign was, going home to mom and telling her id just seen the raygen of terror. Dec 09, 2019 the plot starts in france in the year 1794robespierre is sowing panic among his opponents with the only reason to take over the power of the state stars.
Depending on where you look anthony manns 1949 film comes under two different. Evil duval charles gordon gets killed by lurking hero daubigny robert cummings who must then deal with madelon arlene dahl, sent to kill the same guy, french postrevolutionary espionage, in anthony manns the black book a. The book contains details of his plans to become dictator and the men he plans to kill once in power. He hopes that his agents will recover it, but if it falls in to the wrong hands, it would mean his political ruin and death. Anthony mann directed it with sumptuously arty chiaroscuro cinematography by john alton. A spy named charles daubigny robert cummnings seeks the notorious black book in which robespierre lists his intended victims, hoping to use it against the man to stop his rise to power. The black book reign of terror reissued as the black book is a 1949 american film noir directed by anthony mann and starring robert cummings, richard basehart and. The book is passed from hand to hand among the delegates. Reign of terror reissued as the black book is a 1949 american film noir directed by anthony mann and starring robert cummings, richard basehart and arlene dahl. Its the black book or reign of terror a 1949 historical noir directed by anthony mann, photographed by john alton, script contributions by. Reign of terror also known as the black book is a 1949 american drama film directed by anthony mann and starring robert cummings, richard basehart and. In view of the poverty of the production, i think it would have been difficult to do better, and richard basehart made a remarkable impression. Black book aka reign of terror 1949 anthony mann dvd.
Open or shut it can cost your life opponents plot to bring down robespierre during the french revolution. After escaping from france with the black book, daubigny hides out in a farmhouse with his accomplice, madelon arlene dahl. He hopes his agents will recover it, but, if it falls in to the wrong hands. Yordan was brought in to punch up the script, now retitled reign of terror, to become a relentless blend of film noir and gangster film conventions that equate the heroes with the villains at every turn. Thus, when robespierre arrives to denounce barras, the crowd turns on him instead. The black book aka reign of terror turner classic movies.
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