Based on the novel by Cornell Woolrich (who published it under the pseudonym William Irish), François Truffaut’s sixth feature as a solo director, The Bride Wore Black, was a dark and influential tale of vengeance. An intriguing opening sees Julie Kohler (Jeanne Moreau) prevented from committing suicide by her mother. Her determination is aimed in a different direction when viewers next see her, as she packs a suitcase and sorts money into five piles before leaving.
Julie is next seen pursuing a mysterious man, acting aloof to grab his attention and lulling him into a false sense of security. Once the pair are alone, she strikes. He is merely the first of five men she is focused on killing, with more information shared with each man visited, as the cause behind this revenge slowly becomes revealed.
The influences of this film are felt to this day, sharing some DNA with Alice Lowe’s spectacular Prevenge, although the most apparent similarities lie with Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill.
Once viewers understand Julie’s motivations, matters, unfortunately, become less interesting as the slowly unveiling truths give way to moments which feel like obligations instead of natural developments. None of that is due to Moreau, who powerfully captures the patience and enigmatic expression masking inner devastation. What was the happiest moment of her life quickly transformed into a nightmare she constantly relives, as her future hopes are shattered all because of others’ carelessness. Once the truth is known, it becomes clear that this revenge is all she has left.
The most striking element is how tremendously this film is shot, conveying so much with the simplest images. When a mother and child walk from school, the camera resembles a predator in pursuit as it stalks the pair, capturing Julie’s desire for vengeance which waits to strike. Another impressive instance involves a tracking shot which follows a cut wire to the phone which has been rendered useless, showing the danger one man does not realise he is in while blathering on about his political aspirations.
The influences of this film are felt to this day, sharing some DNA with Alice Lowe’s spectacular Prevenge, although the most apparent similarities lie with Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill. What has been crafted is an entertaining tale of revenge, elegantly constructed from camerawork to plotting, and is wonderfully available to watch courtesy of Radiance Films.
The Bride Wore Black is out now on Radiance Films Blu-Ray
James’s Archive: The Bride Wore Black (1968)
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