Several mountaineers attempt to climb La face de l'Ogre near Chamonix. Their starting point is a small mountain hotel from where many tourists observe them. Among these is Hélène, who has been staying there for a few weeks but who is excluded by the other tourists. Then she meets a city girl named Marion and they immediately become friends. She tells him that she is waiting for her husband who has tried to climb the mountain and should be back any day. But then the weather turns sour, which causes hope to wane but also brings women together in anxiety. Finally the weather improves and Marion's husband comes back but not Hélène's and she must finally accept the truth.
Acting
Duperey's face does what dialogue cannot.
Direction
Giraudeau builds dread through off-screen space.
Director
Bernard Giraudeau
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Giraudeau, primarily known as an actor, directed only three films; this is his most critically neglected.
The 'face de l'Ogre' is a real notorious climb on the Drus; the 1952 accident that killed four French alpinists haunts this film's atmosphere.
FR
