- Adapted from a one-act Grand Guignol play based on Edgar Allan Poe's short story 'The System of Dr. Tarr and Professor Fether', the film portrays a visitor to an insane asylum where it becomes clear that the inmates have taken control. Telling the visitor that a cure for insanity has been found by cutting out an eye of the patient and then slitting his throat, the "director" hurries into another room, reemerges with blood all over his hands and, as blood seeps from beneath the door, incites other inmates who now surround the visitor.—Doug Sederberg <vornoff@sonic.net>
- Brezard, a journalist, is enjoying a well-earned rest when a letter from his manager suddenly recalls him to his professional duties. "My dear Collaborator: A good article regarding the insane asylum at Berneville will be very acceptable at this time, owing to the appointment of Mr. Maillard as Director of the institution, to whom this letter will serve yon as an introduction. Will von take this up? Yours very sincerely, J. Hoffman." Mrs Brezard insists on accompanying her husband to Berneville. As it happens events of the greatest moment are taking place at the asylum on that day. The inmates, who have mutinied, sneered in locking up their keeper and stealthily invade the administration buildings. The director is unable to decide upon the measures to be taken to offset the peril which he suspects is imminent. The madmen, emboldened by the absence of the staff, throw themselves on the director whom they overpower. While this is going on the journalist and his wife arrive at the gates of the asylum. They are somewhat surprised at not finding anyone at the gates; nevertheless, they advance into the deserted courtyard, and soon arrive at the main building without having met a soul. In the dispensary adjoining the director's office a savage and horrible scene is taking place. The madmen, surrounding the unfortunate Maillard, enact with a terrible gravity an awful comedy. Two among them who suffer from the monomania of believing themselves doctors and who have taken the names of Dr. Goudron and Prof. Plume, decide to make their victim undergo the frightful operation of the ablation of the eye. In the meantime the visitors have reached the hall of the administration building. The young man, terrified by the disquieting silence, would like to go away, but the journalist, who has already knocked on the director's door without receiving a reply, decides to enter. Through another door a man has just made entrance into the office. His blanched face, glaring and staring eyes and jerking motions cause the young couple great apprehension. He pretends to be the new director and reads the letter handed to him by the reporter. Dr. Goudron, for it is he, explains to his hearers the particulars of the treatment of which he is the author, certain points of which are most incoherent. Suddenly a horrible and sickening rattle breaks up the interview. The pseudo-director rushes into the next room and returns a few minutes later, his hands covered with blood. He calms the fears of Brezard, whose self-control is fast fading, and he explains that he has been bitten by a madman, whom alone, he is able to master. For some little time strange beings have invaded the office. Their attitude is incomprehensible, their gestures wild: they observe with the greatest curiosity the visitors. Suddenly loud claps of thunder are heard; a terrific storm is raging. The fury of the elements excites the madmen, who become threatening and prevent the trembling reporter and his wife from leaving the place. The sight of blood, slowly oozing under the door, behind which was heard the agonizing wail, awakens the murderous instincts of the madmen, who throw themselves on Brezard, overpower him, and prepare to make him undergo the frightful operation which they have practiced upon the unfortunate director. Fortunately the head-keeper has been able to release his colleagues, and they arrive upon the scene just in time to master the madmen, clap on the straitjacket and make them regain their cell. The reporter and his wife are saved from a horrible perspective. Months have elapsed. The young couple, sound both in body and spirit, enjoy life and retain but a hazy recollection of the terrible experience which they underwent at the Berneville Asylum.—Moving Picture World synopsis
- This film may actually have been released in 1912. It ran 15 minutes and was alternately titled "Le Systeme du Docteur Goudron et du Professeur Plume" (The System of Dr. Tarr and Professor Feather), based upon Edgar Allan Poe's story. Director Maurice Tourneur was assistant to Emile Chautard at Eclair, the company that made this film. It was adapted from the famous Theatre du Grand Guignol, where it had been an effective stage production. You can read Poe's story if you want to know the secrets of this film. Tourneur filmed another piece written by screenwriter Andre de Lorde (FIGURES DE CIRE, 1912) before he moved to America. Eventually, a season of other Grand Guignol plays took place in London (in 1920), that initiated a series of one-reel films that had the general title of "GRAND GUIGNOL".
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