Le Secret (1974)
Directed by Robert Enrico

Film Review

Le Secret, a modest but meticulously crafted psychological thriller from director Robert Enrico, is an early example of the neo-polar that would become popular in France in the mid-to-late 1970s, reflecting public cynicism for business and the State institutions at a time when high-profile judicial-political scandals were rife. Adapted from Francis Ryck's novel Le Compagnon indésirable, the film mirrors growing concerns in France over the power of the State, particularly in regard as to how far it would go to cover up embarrassing secrets. Government attempts to suppress details of the French army's exploits during the Algerian War (which resulted in a number of books and films being banned) merely added to these anxieties.

The film makes a striking contrast with Enrico's grander films which tend to get carried away with their cinematic artistry and opulence - notably Les Grandes gueules (1966) and Le Vieux fusil (1975). Impressive as these films are, they are nowhere near as compelling as Le Secret, something the latter film owes to the arresting interplay between the three central characters, convincingly portrayed by three of the most high-profile French actors of the decade: Jean-Louis Trintignant, Philippe Noiret and Marlène Jobert. By focusing the drama on the main protagonists and reining in his directorial excesses, Enrico makes this a genuinely involving thriller - one of the most chilling and memorable of the decade. Ennio Morricone's eerie score adds immensely to the unsettling mood of the piece.

Film Synopsis

In a mysterious secure establishment, a prisoner named David effects a remarkable escape.  Convinced that he is being pursued, he flees to the open countryside.  Here, he meets a reclusive writer, Thomas, who lives in an isolated country house with his young wife, Julia.  The couple offer to take David in for a few days and the fugitive reluctantly agrees to stay.  Having formed a bond of trust with Thomas, David reveals that he is on the run from the authorities, and that he has discovered a state secret that puts all of their lives in danger.  Although Thomas believes the mysterious stranger, Julia is more suspicious and soon becomes convinced that he is a madman who will kill both of them...