He killed for science, then couldn't live with himself. 1939 French guilt-trip incoming.
A doctor passionate about research leaves an uncle with an inheritance to die, knowing that he is the legatee. His work succeeds, but overcome by remorse, the doctor tries to commit suicide. He is saved thanks to the understanding of his wife and they both leave for the East to do research on leprosy.
Acting
Jules Berry's tormented doctor, all sweaty brows and shaking hands.
Direction
Kapps' shadow-heavy frames scream poetic justice.
Director
Walter Kapps
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Leprosy as exotic redemption destination was a bizarre 1930s trope—colonial medicine as spiritual cleansing.
Mireille Balin, who plays the wife, was later arrested for Nazi collaboration; the film's moral universe got uncomfortably meta.
FR
