Overlooked Horror Films - Day 26 - Eyes Without A Face (1960)

Every day in October we will be highlighting one of our favorite overlooked horror films as a way to countdown to glorious Halloween. We are hoping to bring some attention to films that rarely get on horror lists during this time of year. We hope you enjoy!

Eyes Without A Face (1960)

What’s it about:Christiane (Edith Scob) was once beautiful but her face is badly burned in a car wreck. At the wheel of the vehicle was her maverick surgeon father Dr Génessier (Pierre Brasseur), said to have been driving recklessly. The accident leaves the disfigured and distraught Christiane confined as her father, desperate to return his daughter to her former beauty, springs into horrible action – stealing faces from girls who are similar in appearance and grafting them onto his reluctant daughter, with repeatedly disastrous results.

Why is it overlooked: The film shocked audiences at the time. The film and its graphic depiction of the surgery were way ahead of its time.The Criterion Collection did release this on DVD a while back but it still seems to get little mention by horror lovers.

Why is it worth a look: The film is hugely influenctial, having clear ties to The Skin I Live In and others. The film delivers plenty of horror but also a riveting story of parental abuse. Georges Franju's direction adds beauty to such a ghastly tale. This film is a weird and scary gothic matserpiece.