The Black Book

The Black Book

Director: Anthony Mann Cast: Robert Cummings
Robert Cummings
, Richard Basehart
Richard Basehart
, Arlene Dahl
Arlene Dahl
, Jess Barker
Jess Barker
, Richard Hart
Richard Hart
The Black Book

The Black Book

Director: Anthony Mann Cast: Robert Cummings
Robert Cummings
, Richard Basehart
Richard Basehart
, Arlene Dahl
Arlene Dahl
, Jess Barker
Jess Barker
, Richard Hart
Richard Hart

DVD

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Overview

Also known as Reign of Terror, The Black Book is a bold effort by director Anthony Mann to film a French Revolution epic on a "B" detective picture budget. Robert Cummings stars as Charles D'Aubigny, who has been engaged by a group of political moderates to retrieve a little black book from Revolutionary leader Robespierre (Richard Basehart). The book allegedly contains evidence that Robespierre has been acting in his own interest rather than on behalf of the new government. D'Aubigny is compelled to deal with the tangible threat of Robespierre's chief henchman (Charles McGraw) as well as his uncertainty concerning the loyalties of those working with him. The Black Book is retrieved, but not before Robespierre has self-destructed on his own. The cheapness of The Black Book works in its favor, especially its overuse of shadows; while this photographic device was intended to disguise the seediness of the sets, it accurately conveys a "dark" period in French history that here is literally as well as figuratively dark.

Product Details

Release Date: 01/03/2012
UPC: 0043396395541
Original Release: 1949
Rating: NR
Source: Sony Pictures Home
Region Code: 1
Sound: [Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language: English

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Robert Cummings Charles D'Aubigny
Richard Basehart Robespierre
Arlene Dahl Madelon
Jess Barker Saint Just
Richard Hart Francois Barras
Arnold Moss Fouche
Norman Lloyd Tallien
Wade Crosby Danton
William Challee Bourdon
Georgette Windsor Cecile
Charles McGraw Sergeant
Ellen Lowe Farmer's Wife
John Doucette Farmer
Frank Conlan Gatekeeper
Beulah Bondi Actor
Ray Bennett Actor
Ralph Brooks Actor
Clancy Cooper Actor
Sol Kaplan Composer

Technical Credits
William Cameron Menzies Producer
Philip Yordan Screenwriter
Aeneas MacKenzie Screenwriter

Scene Index

Disc #1 -- The Black Book
1. Chapter 1 [10:06]
2. Chapter 2 [9:26]
3. Chapter 3 [10:06]
4. Chapter 4 [10:22]
5. Chapter 5 [10:20]
6. Chapter 6 [9:35]
7. Chapter 7 [9:39]
8. Chapter 8 [10:33]
9. Chapter 9 [9:21]
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