THE RAVEN
A small town... anywhere.
- Mother's safe. - The baby?
You didn't do that, Doctor?
I did it... honestly.
If you want a grandson,
tell your son-in-law to have another try.
He can't...
A neighbour will help.
Don't cry, Grandma. You have your daughter.
- Hurry up! - I've finished.
- Stop moaning. - I can't get up.
Then lie down.
Don't get excited.
- She's a nasty woman. - My sister.
Oh... then she's a bad sister.
She's unhappy... always has been.
Read that.
Aren't you Doctor Vorzet's wife?
He works here?
In the mental ward.
- I'd like to change... - Your bed?
I don't like the number.
Something will happen to me here.
Don't talk nonsense! Someone to see you.
Hello, François.
Hello, mum.
I've brought your razor.
Why scold them?
- And Dr Germain? - What?
You come here too much. I'll tell Michel so.
- My husband doesn't mind. - Well, I do.
But it's my job.
You're a tramp... 'Morning, Doctor.
Well?
I saved the mother.
- What, again? - Why again?
Third time in a month.
If you don't trust me...
I won't in future.
Now, now...
Squabbling again?
I ask you...
Leave me out of it. I've enough trouble.
Madame Delorme again?
She's a terror!
Thank God I have my pipe and the odd drink...
Come with me, I've a gangrene to show you.
It's so far gone... it's almost a joke.
I don't care for jokes.
Your loss, Dr Bertrand's gain...
- You'll be sorry. - I'm sure.
Come on, it's fantastic!
Make yourself at home. Give me that!
I was just emptying the pockets of your coat.
Why do you read my letters?
Why do you write to my sister?
None of your business!
Laura's a real viper!
N°13 says he can't sleep.
Cancer of the liver! He won't last long.
- Morphine? - I just gave it him once.
- Go on with it. - It didn't do any good.
The doses I prescribed have been withdrawn.
I don't know if you use or sell them, but find them!
- Doctor, I... - By tomorrow!
- Not had lunch? - Yes, sir.
- And now? - I'm having tea.
Ah, Doctor...
I've someone ill.
- Rolande? - My sister.
Would you knock at her door?
- D'you mind? - I'm a doctor.
Want me to box your ears?
Be careful, Fernand!
They're young.
- Don't like children? - No...
- Why lodge at school? - It's bad luck!
Playing the spy?
No, I just happened to be here. I saw you coming...
Your aunt's ill?
Denise?
Yes... so they say.
I left...
a letter for you on your desk.
The air does me good.
It's for me... not you.
Can't stand the noise.
- Is that perfume? - Do you mind?
I should've left the window open.
- Where's the pain? - Everywhere!
I've a temperature and I feel tired.
I've a pain in the back... up here.
There?
Or there?
Well...
Between the two?
- Perhaps. - Undress.
Outer clothes only.
Breathe in.
Cough.
Again.
Say "33".
Not so loud.
Stretch out.
Handkerchief?
- Isn't my nightdress sufficient? - No! I'll use mine.
Breathe in.
Again.
Breathe normally.
- Excuse me. - Come in!
I brought the papers.
- You can stay. - No!
Leave me alone with Miss Saillens.
But of course.
Just 30 seconds.
- What I have got? - Nothing at all!
I'm not ill?
You just wanted examining. But it's not a doctor you need...
Not me, in any case. Goodbye.
Joseph!
My name's Rémy.
You can go in now.
I'll not tire her too much?
No, you won't tire her.
Wait... it's no use pretending.
The papers were an excuse to see you.
You don't need one.
You think so?
Well, you're wrong. It's no longer true...
- And it's your fault. - Pardon?
You're very reserved, Doctor...
but you must have said something...
They're saying at the hospital
that I'm your mistress.
Who does?
I've received an anonymous letter.
I'm obliged to avoid you.
Stop playing around with Laura...
I see everything.
The Raven
Take the bags. Put his trunk in the yard.
Nothing's so mad as a congress of doctors, except...
a congress of psychiatrists.
Nobody listens to anyone else, thank God...
because if they did, it would be a farce.
Only a public of ill people would
listen to such rot!
The only useful purpose of these events
is to allow provincial doctors to cheat on their wives
with Parisian girls.
As I'm too old for that, I came back.
Well, Laura, aren't you listening?
I told you about yesterday's letter.
What of it?
There's one for you today.
3 sheets of stamps.
300! D'you eat them?
I send them to a Christian mission.
Each sheet saves a Chinese soul.
It's faith which will save the world!
2 stamps please, Rolande.
Now you see it...
now you don't!
Oh, you're back?
An old husband shouldn't leave his young wife alone too long.
- Is that meant for me? - Why for you?
I said it for me and her.
I'll give you back your letters.
May I? I interpret handwriting.
Or mystify it?
Interpretation and mystification go hand in hand.
Odd handwriting!
Intelligence... lots of intelligence...
A bit too much.
And sensuality... much too much sensuality.
Combined with a lack of flexibility...
You're not very forgiving, my friend.
A block... a handsome block... but a block.
You can't have many friends.
Neither friends nor enemies.
- Know any? - An enemy... yes.
- Who? - Excuse me, Doctor.
Sorry to intrude, but you're hogging the letterbox.
- Good trip? - Yes, thank you.
See you later.
Enemy, you said?
My wife received an anonymous letter.
She told you?
She hides nothing from me. My age, you know.
Anyhow, I received another myself today.
- The same? - Yes, with a few extra details...
such as the suggestion that you made Laura pregnant...
Calm down...
and that you took advantage of my absence to get rid of...
the inconvenience by surgical means.
- Want one? - No.
Delorme, as house surgeon, received
a similar letter.
You're accused of carrying out abortions...
Forewarned is forearmed.
- The bastard! - Why use such words!
I know something of the problem.
I've often acted as expert in affairs of anonymous letters.
Believe me, what we have here is a mental case.
- I'll deal with him. - Find him first.
It might be the Public Prosecutor over there...
or Mr. Fayolle withdrawing money.
Eh, Mr. Fayolle... it might be you?
- What? - Shh! It's a secret.
Always making jokes!
If it's neither of them,
it might be Dr Germain himself!
But I'm a victim!
Madmen sometimes accuse themselves. It often happens.
Outrageous!
Of course, I don't think you're guilty.
How kind!
But you must keep your eyes open.
When this sort of thing starts,
the whole town may suffer.
- To think... - What?
Nothing... So long.
You might even be the Raven.
Why not?
Oh, it's you, sir. Sorry, sir.
Don't worry. Sit down.
Bonnevi, I'm troubled.
Nothing serious, I hope.
- I've had another anonymous letter. - Again?
This one accuses not only Germain... Well, I'll read it.
I'm most honoured, sir.
"Old drunkard"... That's his style.
Of course.
"You're so drunk you can't see
"how your hospital is dishonoured by Germain
"and fiddled by your bursar,
"the bastard Bonnevi!
"Ask him how he obtained
"the statement dated January 15th,
"signed The Raven."
What do you say?
And you, sir?
To tell the truth, I'm worried...
very worried.
Between you and me,
there was something a little... irregular on January 15th.
It poses a very real problem.
Understand?
Yes, particularly as I'm in a similar situation.
I too received a letter.
May I read it to you?
Why, go ahead.
"Dirty old swine"... That's his style.
Of course.
"It's just as well
"you're friendly with Germain the abortionist.
"You may need him if your daughter Jeannette
"goes on spending hours in the house surgeon's office.
"Signed: The Raven."
What do you say?
These letters are a tissue of lies.
My mind's made up.
So is mine, sir.
- Wake up! - Let me sleep!
No, that's enough!
- But I'm ill. - You!
I know you. You've had all the lodgers
except the boy scout. And maybe him, too.
Now it's Dr Germain.
Nonsense! He looks like an old umbrella. He must be a lousy lover.
- Why pretend? - I'm not. I'm ill.
Bronchitis and sore throat.
It's true. You do look ill. Temperature?
Throat?
What's that?
A compress.
Iced water? And to think you nearly took me in!
The letter warned me.
- What letter? - Here!
- Not playing? - No, we're talking.
- Fayolle had a letter. - Me too, which is more serious.
Why, more serious?
Because I'm a public figure.
The criminal doesn't respect officials. That says a lot!
Listen to this!
"Slacker"...
I disproved that during my election campaign.
"You administer a town
"poisoned by Germain the abortionist.
"I have three charges.
"First, Germain goes to bed with..."
There follows the name of an honourable lady.
It is not necessary to say more. "Secondly...
"Germain sells morphine and passes the buck
"to Marie Corbin who is innocent." What do you say?
- And thirdly? - Of no importance.
- You're a cuckold! - How d'you know?
I've had a letter too.
Disagreeable lies.
- I don't agree. - Agreeable?
Not all lies. There's some truth.
I sell bad medicine!
It's not you, but the person whose name is mentioned in each letter.
I won't slander a colleague,
but I had a talk with him today which troubled me...
For my first time in office, I have an interesting case.
We can't just arrest him.
No, we must investigate the hospital.
Not at the hospital. Nothing doing.
You can't oppose
the Public Prosecutor.
No! But your father can box your ears if you carry on.
- Is that so? - Yes!
I have my duty to do, papa.
Your only duty, young man, is prudence.
Temperature's rising.
The town's temperature, I mean. Here's the chart.
Amusing, eh? In two days we're up to 38.2...
It's only a beginning. You don't operate at that temperature.
Doctor...
- What are you doing here? - Waiting for you.
We can't talk at the hospital. Please forgive me.
- Forgive you? - I was nasty to you.
I thought you'd been imprudent, but you were a victim.
Please forgive me.
- Nonsense! - We might be seen.
What's the harm in that?
None, but we must be careful.
Now that we can't meet in public,
we should find a more secret place.
The town's against you. I could help you to fight.
I'll manage alone. It's kind of you, but I know about solitude.
What did your letter say?
- What letter? - The one you tore up.
It was about me.
But it was addressed to me.
I was not going to send it.
I'm sure she's watching us.
Have you guessed who the Raven is?
Beware of her!
The lodger's ears must have been burning this afternoon.
That'll teach him!
You think it's true?
What?
The things they're saying...
It's not a subject for children.
Don't you remember when you were my age?
Go and see.
It's the doctor. Morning, Doctor.
We were just talking about you... Doctor.
- Denise's ill? - It's true this time.
- Can you cup? - Of course.
Do it then. She loves it.
So you've done it...
Yes, I wanted to be treated.
- Odd person! - That makes two.
Just 'cause I don't jump into bed with the first woman who offers...
Thanks very much!
You know what I mean.
Yes, to do that, you must be really in love.
No, in that case I'd run even quicker.
Then why not take your pleasure?
Nothing much...
A ghost...
or rather two ghosts.
- Does that hurt? - A little.
All I want is peace and quiet.
You're wanted.
Me? I'll be right back.
Oh, it's you?
Sorry, but when you know why I'm here...
Come with me.
- Fine office! - Do you like it?
I love good furniture.
But on the pay we get,
I can't afford this kind of thing.
You must have considerable private means?
- Fair! - That's what I told them.
Told who?
People who asked me just now.
About my means?
Your means... and your past.
You understand... people are inquisitive.
Send the inquisitive ones to me. I'll tell them.
Before coming here,
you said you were in practice at Grenoble.
No doubt I did...
Some fool looked up your name in the medical directory.
There was no Dr Germain there.
Tell the fool that inclusion in the directory
is not compulsory.
The only Germain in Grenoble
left 15 years ago
and became Germain Monatte,
- the brain specialist. - I knew him.
Well, that's something.
It might be useful if it comes to an investigation.
You're right,
they're fragile.
All I was asked to get was information.
Who asked?
Well... a lot of other fools. There are plenty.
I'll be off. It's late.
And who is the Raven?
They think it's Marie, my sister-in-law.
She's got it in for you, of course...
but I don't think so.
I used to be engaged to her. I knew her well.
Or she has changed a lot.
Do you mind my coming?
Not at all. I thank you for doing so.
Don't overdo it.
I hope you'll live long,
but not long enough to become President of the Medical Association
which involves disagreeable duties.
I thought you were in bed.
- I was coming to see you. - Me?
If Vorzet came, it must be serious.
- What do you care? - Always pleasant.
Go to bed. You'll get cold.
What do you care?
So what?
My brother and I had an accident when we were kids.
He lost an arm and I got a coxalgia.
Does it stop me being attractive?
Does it stop men from wanting me?
Does it stop you wanting me?
Goodnight, Denise.
You won't sleep, you know.
You're too worried.
Does it show that much?
You said you wanted peace.
Yes, and quiet.
I can't offer you that.
But a few hours of forgetfulness...
Shut up.
She's writing to her Emile.
Better to be safe than sorry.
There he is.
How is she?
You needn't have come. She's gone out.
She had a temperature!
Young people... She was alright today. Excuse me.
Come in. I'll be right with you.
- Dr Bertrand's bag! - Well, if you know it...
- So she's gone out with him. - I didn't say so.
You've changed doctors?
To tell the truth, I didn't want to. But with all the rumours
that are going around... although they may be lies...
- I understand. - My niece is a good girl.
Send me your bill, Doctor.
We'll see if that criminal dares to.
Germain is a charlatan, a thief,
a liar and an abortionist... The Raven.
Back already?
- As you see. - What're you doing?
Watching the kids play.
You like kids now?
I don't know, but it's nice to rest a bit.
You're not very kind today.
- Listen, Denise. - Not "Darling"?
It's all a misunderstanding.
I liked you yesterday.
But I was depressed. I stayed with you because I was discouraged.
You understand?
- Sure I do. - I don't think you do.
I'm leaving this town.
An avowal of guilt!
- Once it's all settled. - And till then?
- We'll be friends. - Friends?
Me a friend of yours? After last night?
My dear, you underestimate me.
- Think! - I've thought.
You're a coward, a weakling... weaker than me.
But I won't give in.
Believe me, when I have my shoes on, I can walk like anybody else.
It took me 5 years, but now I can get any man I want.
Me, a cripple! It's my revenge on life.
Do what you like. You know what I am.
- What're you doing here? - I'm in the corner.
- Not seen a bit of paper? - No, sir.
How can you be sure?
Because I looked, sir.
Did you put it there?
Do you recognise this?
What are you doing?
It's like this.
I want to ask you a favour. Lend me 100.
- To save my honour. - Goodness!
Don't laugh, it's serious.
Just now, I saw in a shop window
some English embroidery I wanted.
I took 100 Francs from the Post Office,
thinking I'd replace them from my savings. But...
But?
- But my grammar's empty. - Grammar?
Money box.
Take the stuff back.
I can't. I've stained it.
Here you are... you liar!
Thank you, Doctor.
Take that too!
Here you are at last.
Come kneel beside me so no one notices us.
I couldn't come sooner. Your sister was watching...
The situation you put me in!
I should've shown your letter to my husband.
What letter?
I came because you wrote me a note.
What note?
This note.
Have you any idea who the Raven is?
It's a forgery! Here's what you sent.
And you came all the same!
I was hurt... yet I've forgiven you.
Women always excuse an affair like this.
Do I disappoint you?
I thought you so far above all that.
We're much the same.
- But I'm not free. - Someone else?
I carry a burden. I'll explain one day.
I ask nothing. I have my pride.
I want to know why this meeting was set up.
I certainly won't prolong it. Goodbye, Germain.
Goodbye, Laura. Don't be angry with me.
If you need me, say so.
Denise!
- Surprised? - You here!
I see your morals don't stop you from running after a married woman.
That bitch! Congratulations!
This meeting is a trap into which you've fallen.
Why did you come?
I was informed about you.
- I had a letter. - From the Raven?
Why not? Don't talk to me.
You stole my lover. Everyone shall know.
- Quiet! - The Raven is right.
No, I'll say what I like... You swine!
Not in the House of the Lord.
It's you I wanted.
- You knew... - I saw you come in.
Bed n°13 has committed suicide!
An anonymous letter told him he was done for.
He cut his throat.
Well?
It's Marie Corbin. She hated n° 13.
We all think so.
The idiot! As if I hadn't enough trouble...
Give him a good funeral. Today's Friday.
Make it Sunday so everyone can go.
- It's St. Robin's Day. - Cancel it.
The priest won't accept a suicide.
Dr Vorzet will sign a lunacy certificate. N° 13 was mad, eh?
As mad as everybody... You and me.
No joking!
- We shall all attend. - Not me.
Why not?
I hate funerals.
But I told you...
The wreath should be behind.
One moment...
Hold that a second.
You'd be wiser to go back home.
Why should I?
Everybody here thinks you're guilty.
I'll see it through to the bitter end.
N° 13 had already been knocked cold by Germain,
the lover of Laura, Denise, and soon,
young Rolande, the post-office thief.
The Raven is following the funeral.
The anonymous murderer was not satisfied
with breaking up families.
He had to have blood as well.
These little sheets of paper rained down
and made some of you laugh.
Would you have if you had known that a mother would mourn her son?
The whole town shares her grief.
If it were not wrong to talk of justice in the presence of this tomb
which brings us closer to divine justice,
I would say that the whole town wants vengeance.
Just as the owl used to be nailed to the barn,
you will be nailed to the cemetery gates,
bird of blood
and darkness... The Raven.
In the name of the angry populace
and of the authorities I represent,
I proclaim
that the wretched victim of a nameless murderer
will be avenged!
It's her!
No, it's not true!
The letter comes from you.
- There are others. - You dare to say...
You held the wreath... You wrote it!
The ink which makes blood flow
- They'll smash the gates. - I fear so.
- And you read! - I don't mind noise.
Dear friends...
- Shut up, you! - Let me speak.
Let's have Marie Corbin first.
She's gone... We've sacked her.
In prison
Utter calm! Marie is in prison.
Temperature is back to normal and even lower.
No more letters to the hospital. It's heartening... or disturbing.
Nobody suspects your sister.
Everybody does and that's encouraging.
I can prove her innocence.
You begin to worry me.
You know something?
Rolande has told me something terrible.
She's cried for 2 days.
This accusation of theft is frightful.
Sadly, it's true.
She took the money, but only one person knew about it.
- It wasn't Marie Corbin. - Who?
- Dr Germain! - Just a moment...
Did Dr Germain lend her the money to pay it back?
- You knew? - If that's why you suspect him
you can suspect me as well.
I lent her 200 last month,
and so did Laura, for the same reason.
It's her little game.
The little bitch will pay for that!
No, she's just a neurotic little girl.
- How old is she? - 14 and a half.
Marry her off as soon as you can.
- Leaving? - You bet I am!
- Why? - Because of the welcome.
But now that Marie's in prison, you're a saint!
I won't stay here. Pass me the file there.
- The file? - The cardboard thing!
- You must think I'm stupid. - No, very nice.
You're leaving all the same.
- You're sure? - Absolutely!
Nothing can change your mind...
- Well, I love you. - No!
- Don't believe me? - No.
- Think I'm a liar? - Yes.
- Idiot! - So be it.
Listen, Rémy!
I called you "darling" all night long. Give me 3 minutes.
Don't pack your shoes like that.
Put your socks in. They take up less space and keep their shape.
Darling... People think you are unbending.
But I know you are tender as a child.
I held you in my arms...
Since then, I love you...
...because that's how it is.
- I love you. - No!
You've never loved. You're just playing the farewell scene.
- I love you. - The others too?
No, I didn't love them.
Sure! You expect me to believe that?
People don't change. A decent man remains a decent man, and a...
...whore remains a whore, eh? You may be right.
I'm sorry for you.
For you'll always remain the saddest of creatures.
A fool?
Oh no... a bourgeois!
Don't worry, he's not gone yet.
- Read that when I've gone. - What is it?
The letter I tore up two weeks ago.
Why give it to me now?
Because I'm going...
and I wouldn't write it now.
You're leaving with a gay heart, with no regrets.
None at all!
Not even her?
Denise... whose lover you were.
Perhaps, one day.
Otherwise, could you still write this letter?
Possibly.
Pity!
Time for mass, Laura.
Excuse me, I knew my wife had a caller. I didn't know it was you.
I was saying goodbye.
Won't you come to mass with us?
I'm a non-believer.
Yes, you have the atheist's security.
You're a believer?
Better to be safe than sorry.
It costs so little to take out insurance.
Saint Michael...
Pray for us.
Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world...
Have mercy upon us.
Lord, deliver us from sinners
and evil men.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit...
The spirit of evil descended on our town
because of your sins.
The son hated the father
and discord submerged the city.
But God, in his infinite mercy, has tempered the wind.
Let your hearts, free from fear,
rise towards Jesus
to thank Him for His grace.
It reads thus: "To the parishioners...
"Some have been too hasty. It can't be Marie.
"I shall continue to clean up the town.
"All iniquities will be revealed
"as long as you've not thrown out
"that filthy Germain.
"Your brother in Christ, The Raven."
Typical blasphemy!
No respect for religion.
I may add that the writing is the same as that of the rest.
This rules out Marie Corbin. Right, Doctor?
- Yes, indeed. - So we begin again.
But we start from a certainty.
The envelope fell from the gallery
where there were 18 people whom I've assembled here.
- You accuse us! - Why not arrest us?
Germain's too proud to go now.
We protest most strongly.
Silence! The mass isn't over.
- Another! - And another!
- The 17th! - And a postcard!
- One for general delivery. - Everyone's at it.
A kid sent one to my wife, I clipped her ear.
- The kid's? - My wife's!
- Do we go on delivering them? - Unless we're ordered not to.
We're accessories!
Don't you know that
in any case a letter entrusted to us
must always be delivered?
That's the greatness of the postal service. Here's one for me.
For the boss?
No, his wife. She'll never see it. Decadence of the postal service!
The situation's bad. It's no laughing matter.
You make me laugh.
Let us give the impression of doing something.
- Or I fear the worst. - Meaning?
I'll lose my seat on the Council.
A pity for you but a narrow point of view.
This epidemic is spreading day by day.
Doctor, you're an expert.
- What d'you think? - I've no opinion, sir.
As I don't care for advancement,
why should I have one?
- Well, I've an idea. - That's youth for you!
Germain's the target of the Raven. We can't get rid of the Raven.
Why not get rid of Germain? That might stop the letters.
- So long, young man. - Goodbye, Doctor.
Next patient.
Sit down, Madam.
Well?
Well, Doctor...
my husband has tuberculosis.
The slightest shock might do him harm.
I shouldn't cause him any emotion.
- Right? - Of course, but...
I've not seen him for a year and...
I'm pregnant.
I said no, Madam!
You may have heard that I get rid of inconveniences.
It's not true.
It's you!
What?
It's you! It really is!
You don't remember me?
You saved my life after a car accident 5 years ago.
- You're mistaken. - No, I'm not.
What is a great surgeon like you doing in a town like this?
Don't worry. I won't give you away now.
So this was a trap?
I'm a poor woman. I was offered 10,000.
If you had accepted,
they'd have got you.
Who are they?
No, Doctor. I'm not a sneak.
Paris newspapers, sir.
I'll read you the headlines to amuse you.
We're for it again.
Prefect Removed
The press is awful.
- Nothing new. - May I?
Good God!
Removed! I've been removed!
And I learn it from the newspaper!
Just to appease the public!
If it restores calm, it's a worthwhile sacrifice.
Public interest first.
- Leave me alone! - We're all very sorry.
Well, I'm delighted. Glad to leave the place.
I've enough to live on. I don't know why I came to this hole.
- It was a mouse hole. - Meaning?
The Raven has informed me about you.
Just repeat what you said!
15 to 1 on the Prefect!
Don't you start!
Let's get back to business.
With my successor.
It appears I am not up to my task.
Sorry to interrupt...
I've only a few words to say.
Congratulations!
Instead of finding the letter writer,
you persecute his victim. Very smart!
- Your tone... - I can't help it if you dislike it.
I confess. I'm not a gynaecologist.
3 years ago, I'd never delivered.
I am not Dr Germain. Satisfied?
You want to get rid of me?
- If you think you... - Secondly...
3 years ago I was a specialist in brain surgery in Paris.
- Brain surgery? - Germain Monatte?
Yes, half my name was true. So I'm only half guilty.
I had a wife then...
not a virago like yours,
nor a dry bigot like yours,
but a woman.
A real one.
She was expecting. I entrusted her to a famous surgeon.
Things went wrong.
And the idiot, in trying to make an impossible delivery...
killed both the mother and the child.
And Dr Monatte too...
for he became Dr Germain,
at the service of mothers in a small provincial town.
And his conscience is quite clear as to his actions!
That changes things.
Quite! You suspected Dr Germain
but Monatte calls you all foolish...
And incompetent!
Now you've done it, you idiot!
You need a good hiding. Must be mad.
Let me die. I want to die.
- What's up? - She fell in the pool.
- Accident? - I'm afraid not.
We must do something.
It's you, Annette?
- Let me die. - But why?
- My daddy's not my daddy. - Who said so?
Daddy got a letter. Mummy left.
Now go back home.
This is all lies.
Tomorrow I'll go and see your dad.
The letter writer will be punished.
Take her back home please.
Well, Germain, taking up arms?
I'm disgusted. If I had a chance, I wouldn't hesitate.
- But the police... - ...could not succeed.
They're looking for someone with a logical motive. That's idiotic!
An anonymous letter writer... acts upon mysterious motives
that the ordinary man cannot understand...
far less the ordinary policeman.
In all the cases I have studied,
the guilty person had the same complex:
more or less sexually inhibited.
- Old maids. - Yes, people like my sister-in-law.
Or widows... impotent men...
disgraced old men... cripples...
Even a hidden deformity...
often leaves the seeds of venom.
- Hello, Dr Vorzet. - Good day, Miss.
- Well, old man... - Pardon me.
You think the Raven...
The Raven case is more complicated.
850 letters in capitals written in two months...
I wonder if one person,
even with lots of leisure time, could have done it.
There are odd cases of family contagion.
Can't you imagine a husband and wife,
or brother and sister,
getting together every evening to write poison?
- What are you thinking about? - Me?
I've thought of that too.
We mustn't jump to conclusions.
But I know how we can get at the truth.
As I told you that day in Church
and as I've repeated several times since,
it's obvious that the Raven is one of you.
- Really! - He's right.
I've therefore decided to carry out a test
which our expert, Dr Vorzet will explain.
One moment...
I protested against your conclusions a month ago,
I protest again now and will go on protesting.
If it amuses you to do so...
But that's a lot of protests for very little.
It is just a little dictation. Let me explain.
Nobody can write a thousand letters in capitals
without acquiring a secondary handwriting
automatically.
He may be able to hide his handwriting for an hour or two
or even more, but as he gets tired,
it will force itself from his pen.
So I must warn you
that this dictation will be very, very long.
There are honest people here who don't deserve this treatment.
Dr Bertrand...
Honest people should help the law.
Take up your pens, I'll start.
Letter n° 1.
Dirty old man...
you're playing around
with Vorzet's wife,
Laura the...
Put a "W" and a few dots.
Look out! I see everything
and I'll tell everything.
No school?
School's requisitioned.
- For the morning? - All day.
- Will it be settled? - The Raven's too clever.
The Raven.
Letter n° 53...
Old corpse...
You have cancer of the liver...
a biggie...
which is hurrying you off
to the worms...
...to the worms.
Germain is making...
fun of you, you old dodderer.
Give my love to the eternal Father...
The Raven.
Why did you faint? From fatigue?
You know why?
So, tell.
I won't tell you why. You suspect me.
I hate you.
Leave her alone. She's tired.
Has she regained consciousness?
She's said nothing.
Think it's her?
While you were upstairs, I had another look at her writing.
There are some similarities.
Nothing conclusive.
This fainting?
It can't be considered proof.
Tell me, do you love Denise?
I don't think so.
I desired her and I still do some nights...
when I can't sleep.
But I'd not hesitate to denounce her.
It's classical tragedy.
You're like Horace without the beard.
And you virtually have a beard... even handsomer!
But when you see a vile beast...
I see one every morning in my mirror,
together with an angel. You're amazing!
You think people are all good or bad.
You think good is light
and evil is dark.
But where does each begin?
Where's the frontier?
Do you know which side you're on?
What a speech! Why not stop the lamp?
You stop it!
You burned yourself. You see, the experiment is conclusive.
I like you a lot.
I'll tell you something.
I take drugs. I inject them.
It was for me that Marie Corbin took the morphine.
Out of love for her ex-fiancé.
And I don't think I'm a monster.
Think about that and examine your soul.
You may be astonished.
I have.
Pride comes before a fall.
Since this whirlwind of hate and calumny started,
all moral values have suffered.
Yours like others. You too will fall.
I don't say you'll strangle your mistress,
but you'd go through my private papers
and sleep with Rolande if she wanted.
There's no choice.
You're used to mad people...
At your service!
Sleep well all the same.
What do you want?
Why are you here?
To dust.
Since my son's death, I've swept the classroom every day.
Didn't you know?
Sorry. You startled me... I've had a bad night.
I know about that. I can't sleep either.
I can't sleep till he's been avenged.
Know who was responsible?
I think so but I must be quite sure.
- Who do you suspect? - You'll soon know.
Recognise this?
François didn't use it much but I will.
You can't...
- Oh no? - No, you can't.
Well, we'll see.
Beloved surgeon,
Denise is pregnant by you.
A fine occasion to operate.
The Raven
18 Rue de la Mairie.
Give it to me, save a stamp.
You here! So you spy on me now?
- Give me that! - Never!
But it's addressed to me.
I don't want to, now.
"A fine occasion to operate."
"Denise is pregnant by you."
You read it?
So it's you!
You're the lunatic who's been poisoning our existence...
No, it's not me.
And I'm to have a mad child?
No, I won't father a lunatic!
The Raven is right.
I'll see it doesn't live.
Rémy!
It's an odd feeling.
I didn't think I'd catch you red-handed.
I'm not the Raven.
I swear on my baby's life.
Please, Denise, not that!
I saw you...
It's the first time.
I didn't want to say it to your face.
So I thought I'd send a letter.
And I had the idea of imitating the Raven.
That's all.
I thought you'd find some excuse. Your kind always does.
It's ingenious.
But your obstinacy proves your guilt.
So, if I own up, I'm innocent?
You think too much, Rémy. You've no feelings.
If you want to know the truth,
look me in the eyes.
No need, I know!
Just look at me.
Well?
I don't know.
- I don't know any more... - You see?
Listen, Rémy...
I'm not as intelligent as you, but I feel things.
I'm frightened. Things are going so fast.
Go and see Laura straight away.
Why Laura?
She's received a letter today
containing a threat... a death threat.
You've seen her today?
She telephoned me.
Please go to her.
Kiss me.
You're up early today! What's wrong?
I've come because you're in danger.
What danger?
- The threatening letter. - What?
- You phoned no one? - No, what's all this?
I've been taken in. Goodbye, Laura. How stupid of me.
Oh no, I want an explanation.
Later. I must go.
This is a very odd visit.
I know.
Wait!
Well, I say!
- May I? - Please do.
"Last warning.
"If you don't stop your adultery with Germain,
"the twin of this bullet will get you."
Everything is clear. To send me here,
she must have known about this.
And so, she must have written it.
Who sent you?
Denise!
Impossible!
It's all a horrible mistake.
There's no mistake possible.
Denise couldn't have!
Got another explanation?
Poor thing!
It was well planned. If the letter had arrived in time...
What can I say?
Yes, it's rather frightening.
Darling...
- You write in bed? - What?
You've already ink on your fingers?
From that dictation.
I'm sorry, but that ink is still wet.
And you wash your hands before varnishing your nails.
Laura... did you do it?
What's the matter with you?
If you wrote that letter and put it in the box yourself...
If you really did telephone...
then, poor Denise...
I feel sorry for you, Rémy.
You're the one to feel sorry for.
You!
What's up?
Last warning
If you don't stop your adultery
I don't understand. It's a trap.
Why play-act? I have proof.
Don't go. I've found the answer.
Denise does her writing here.
What's all this?
Look! This is your wife's blotter.
I knew it. Laura is mad.
I caught her but I haven't had the guts to report.
A young wife with an old husband. That's it.
Basically, I'm responsible. I shouldn't have married her.
When we were first married,
her youth made me ardent
and into the flames I threw all that remained of desire.
Then gradually...
I became just the friend of my wife. That was not enough for her.
But she had learnt virtue and was faithful to me.
Then you arrived. She took an interest
and to attract you she wrote the first letter.
As that didn't work, she got mad.
She got her knife into you
and into Denise whom you loved.
She knew her sister was watching her.
Anger turned to madness
and finally lunacy.
And now, for God's sake, take that to the police.
I've not the strength.
Nor have I. Care for her!
You say that! You, the man of principle!
I've learnt a lot since this morning.
This sort of disaster has its uses.
It's like an illness from which you rise stronger.
Evil is a necessary thing.
- Look after Laura. - It's too late.
But you're a psychiatrist...
But I cannot sign a confinement order for my own wife.
- Give me a sheet of paper! - You will?
Yes, it's me.
Yes... straightaway.
Get an ambulance.
Thanks, for her and me.
Now you must go.
Denise has fainted again coming downstairs.
- She's had a bad fall. - Did it...
Go now. Immediately.
That's too easy! You won't get me that way.
He's the Raven, the one to be put away.
You hear me, Rémy?
He's right about the first letter
but all the others... he wrote them.
He dictated them.
Look! He's gloating.
Germain, you must go.
Go on, they're waiting for you.
Listen to me... listen!
Calm down, darling.
Be quiet!
- Liar! - Shut up!
Get me the hospital.
Well?
You're alright, but I was very anxious.
About me?
Both of you.
- You want the child? - I need it.
We nearly lost it. I threw myself down the stairs.
I thought as much.
I thought only of you.
The delivery which killed my wife was not such a crime.
We must think of the future.
So you'll kill me to have a son?
Perhaps.
But I was forgetting Laura.
Forget her.
Laura is the Raven!
You're mad!
What are you thinking of?
Laura knows the Raven. I guessed that, but it's not her.
- She's afraid of him. - She fooled you.
I'm not that stupid. Laura really was afraid.
Could it be...
No, leave me alone! It's not me!
The curse is lifted.
So it was Vorzet!
Subtitling: Eclair Media