La Mariée était en Noir (The Bride Wore Black) (1968)

79% of critics liked it
(14 reviews)
79% of users liked it
(4,037 ratings)

This Francois Truffaut thriller is based ona novel by William Irish (aka Cornell Woolrich), whose books had been adapted by Alfred Hitchcock on many previous occasions. Jeanne Moreau stars as a woman whose fiancé is nastily murdered by five men. Utilizing a series of disguises, the cool-customer… More This Francois Truffaut thriller is based ona novel by William Irish (aka Cornell Woolrich), whose books had been adapted by Alfred Hitchcock on many previous occasions. Jeanne Moreau stars as a woman whose fiancé is nastily murdered by five men. Utilizing a series of disguises, the cool-customer Moreau tracks down all five culprits, sexually enslaves them, and then engineers their deaths. The ominous musical score was written by Bernard Herrmann, another frequent Hitchcock collaborator. The Bride Wore Black was initially released in France as La Mariee etait en Noir. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: François Truffaut
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Mar 22, 1968 Wide
On DVD: Jan 23, 2001

Critic Reviews

Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com
With its summery, Mediterranean surface, Jeanne Moreau as the ultimate femme fatale heroine and a knife-twisting tale of murderous revenge and unexpected romance, "The Bride Wore Black" is well worth rediscovering.
J. Hoberman, Village Voice
For all of Truffaut's digressive asides, deadpan gags, and lyrical cinephiliac touches, his slow-starting movie is overly schematic, emotionally shallow, and not so much fun.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Miss Moreau remains one of the screen's great actresses, and there is a supporting cast of unusual quality.
Renata Adler, New York Times
Truffaut is such a poetic filmmaker that the film turns around and becomes, not at all Hitchcockian, but a gentle comedy and one of the few plausible and strange love stories in a long time.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Basically an exercice de style, and a good one at that.
Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out New York
Unfortunately, Truffaut fell into a pit of awkwardness on the project; editingwise, he's hardly in the league of Hitchcock, his sequences rushing ahead, his ironies too obvious.
Fernando F. Croce, Slant Magazine
A frigid and oddly static procession of Hitchcockian shout-outs that plays like an affected sequel to the two filmmakers' celebrated interview book.
Simon Foster, sbs.com.au
The Bride Wore Black finds a dark yet entertaining balance between B-movie conventions and (Truffaut's) European film sensibilities.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's an entertaining film even if it doesn't completely work.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
It's an enjoyable and entertaining film, albeit probably Truffaut's darkest and least sentimental work.
, Film4
It's accessible, intriguing and enjoyable.
Wade Major, Boxoffice Magazine
A chilling and tragic portrait of fractured psychology and shattered lives.

Read all 12 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Pierluigi P

Stylish revenge thriller by François Truffaut, who I think was rather too ponderous, subtle and out of his element everytime he tried to get into Hitchcock territory; but with the macabre Bernard Herrmann in the music, and the sophisticated and calm Jeanne Moreau; he had winning aces.
Michael G

Well done but pretty damn boring.
Eduardo T

Made it on my favorite list tens minutes into the film. The advertising team made a great decision to put full frontal nudity in the trailer. I always thought that was considered taboo in the 60's. This is the film Quentin Tarantino ripped off to make Kill Bill. He claims never… More
Made it on my favorite list tens minutes into the film. The advertising team made a great decision to put full frontal nudity in the trailer. I always thought that was considered taboo in the 60's. This is the film Quentin Tarantino ripped off to make Kill Bill. He claims never to have seen it but I say otherwise. This film is unpopular so there is a chance that he hasn't. But it is ironic that the plot of this is a bride going around killing people for revenge, it's the exact same plot as Kill Bill. This film is a homage to Alfred Hitchcock who is one of Quentin's inspirations. So maybe that's why there both similar, just maybe. I find it hard to believe that Quentin is an Alfred Hitchcock fan yet hasn't watched a film that was inspired by Alfred. Overall this is one cool film. If you liked Kill Bill then watch this as well. It's not as violent as Kill Bill but it's still entertaining. The plot was okay. People say that this film has a big plot hole. That plot hole being, how did she find the men? She herself answered the plot hole. She said it took her a long time but she managed. Hello people, ever heard of phone books and public registries. There are ways to find people that you know nothing about. The men where staying at a hotel so she could have just gone to the hotel and got there names they signed with. Moving along, the writing was okay. I didn't like the scene at the beginning with the two guys. All they where talking about is women. It had nothing to do with the story and contributed nothing so that part should have been taken out. Other then that the rest of the dialogue was great. I really enjoyed reading the movie. The acting was really good. You could really get into the characters minds and feel there suffering. That's something I didn't feel in Kill Bill. The direction was superb by the same director of The 400 Blows. The camera angles where great. They used the camera angles I like because if a film doesn't have the camera angles I like then it does take away from the experience. This is probably the longest review I have ever written. It just goes to show you how much I love this film. If you are a fan of Alfred Hitchcock and foreign films then this is the perfect film for you.
John M

It is obvious that this is the movie that inspired ¨Kill Bill¨ because there is a lot of similities and homage scenes, eventhough Tarantino stated he has never seen it. Guess what?! I don´t believe him. ¨The Bride Wore Black¨ is a hitchcokian flix that is beautifully photographed… More
It is obvious that this is the movie that inspired ¨Kill Bill¨ because there is a lot of similities and homage scenes, eventhough Tarantino stated he has never seen it. Guess what?! I don´t believe him. ¨The Bride Wore Black¨ is a hitchcokian flix that is beautifully photographed and employs a no-nonsense score. The film is fairly gripping and well acted, I would give it a higher rating because the story good, however flawed.
Dimitris S

The premise of Kill Bill (oh you Tarantino copycat...),brilliantly extracting influences from Hitchcock,probably through their conversation monsieur Francois arranged in an interview style,the Bride is Moreau in her most sexual display and provocative grandeur.Beauty is… More
The premise of Kill Bill (oh you Tarantino copycat...),brilliantly extracting influences from Hitchcock,probably through their conversation monsieur Francois arranged in an interview style,the Bride is Moreau in her most sexual display and provocative grandeur.Beauty is subjective,revenge is a personal cause,under the surface injustice wears any color possible,detective stories are of course enchanting.The tricks of Truffaut's majesty.
Tom S

Best scene: As the camera trails him and his mother, a young boy suspects an unwelcome presence may be following them. He's one smart Cookie.
Leo L

Intriguing!

Read all 7 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Jeanne Moreau as Julie

            Claude Rich as Bliss

            Jean-Claude Brialy as Corey

            Michel Bouquet as Coral

            Michel Lonsdale as Morane

            Charles Denner as Fergus

            Daniel Boulanger as Delvaux

            Serge Rousseau as David

            Jacques Robiolles as Charlie

            Christophe Bruno as Cookie Morane

            Sylvine Delannoy as Mme. Morane

            Van Doude as Inspector Fabri

            Luce Fabiole as Julie's mother

            Frédérique Fontanarosa as Musician

            Maurice Garrel as Plaintiff

            Michele Montfort as Model

            Paul Pavel as Mechanic

            Daniel Pommereulle as Fergus's friend

            Gilles Quéant as Examining Magistrate

            Jacqueline Rouillard as Maid

            Elisabeth Rey as Julie as a Child

            Jean-Pierre Rey as David as a Child

            Dominique Robier as Sabine Julie's niece

            Alexandra Stewart as Mlle. Becker

            Mich_le Viborel as Gilberte Bliss's fiancee
See full cast