This Man Must Die
Seen it?1969 | 113 min | Thriller, Drama, Crime
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved In the Bedroom or Insomnia, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense and unsettling, dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 53 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Made in 1969: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
When his young son is killed in a hit and run accident, Charles Thenier resolves to hunt down and murder the killer. By chance, Thenier makes the acquaintance of an actress, Helène Lanson, who was in the car at the time of the accident. He then meets Helène’s brother-in-law, Paul Decourt, a truly horrible individual.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.3 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerWeak
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 10K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Claude Chabrol
- Michel DuchaussoyCharles Thenier
- Caroline CellierHelene Lanson
- Jean YannePaul Decourt
- Marc Di NapoliPhilippe Decourt
- Anouk FerjacJeanne Decourt
- Louise ChevalierMadame Levenes
- Guy MarlyJacques Ferrand
- Lorraine RainerAnna Ferrand
- Stéphane Di NapoliMichel Thenier
- Dominique ZardiLe premier inspecteur