Original subtitles

EYES WITHOUT A FACE

Hello?

The Professor?

No, not yet.

Really? Oh?

Right.

I'll tell him as soon as he's finished.

Is mankind's greatest new hope

not for physical rejuvenation?

This hope can be realised with a heterograft.

But heterografts, in other words the transplanting

of living tissues or organs from one human being to another,

have hitherto only been possible

when the two individuals in question

have demonstrated perfect biological compatibility.

This has meant biologically modifying the nature of the host organism

destined to receive the foreign tissues.

One method consists of destroying,

through intense X-radiation,

the antibodies that form an obstacle to the heterograft.

Only, the level of radiation required is so intense...

that no human being can survive it.

So we resort to exsanguination.

The patient being irradiated is drained of every last drop of blood.

A call just came through for you, Professor.

- Who was it? - The institute of forensic...

The morgue.

You are to go there right away.

My dear Professor, your lecture was so invigorating.

- Thrilling, wasn't it, Carlo? - Indeed.

What a wonderful future you have opened up to us.

Never mind the future, madam.

We should get started as soon as possible.

He has changed since his daughter vanished.

He comes out with such strange remarks.

It's a strange business, but that's how it looks to me.

When Professor Génessier's daughter vanished from the clinic

her face was an open wound.

The missing facial tissue certainly confirms your theory.

The car crash,

the bad facial burns, the time spent in the water...

And the rats, Doctor.

- We mustn't forget the rats. - True.

And yet the description of this drowned girl

matches that of Simone Tessot.

I have asked the Tessot girl's father to come in at three.

Something's not quite right.

What strikes me as odd is that the body was fished out naked

but for a man's coat.

Indeed. Why would the professor's daughter,

so distraught at her disfigurement from the car crash

that she has decided to drown herself,

feel the need to strip naked in mid-winter before jumping into the water?

That vast open wound in place of a face is most odd.

The edges are so clean, almost as if they were cut by a scalpel.

Here he is now.

I deeply regret the unfortunate circumstances

which have led to our meeting.

Please explain.

This morning two bargemen fished a girl's body out of the Seine.

The time of drowning tallies more or less with the date

your daughter went missing from the clinic.

The description also tallies.

The face is damaged. Only the eyes remain intact.

IDENTIFICATION ROOM

It's her.

Christiane.

Mr Tessot is here, Doctor.

Tell him we have an identification. There is no doubt about it.

It is not his daughter.

Very good, Doctor.

I called him in case...

Yes.

Of course.

Forgive me, Professor...

Henri Tessot.

I came about my daughter,

but they tell me she was yours.

Are you certain, Professor?

Quite certain?

All too certain, I'm afraid.

I got such a shock earlier when they called.

I thought I was going mad.

It's ten days since we last saw Simone.

Something must have happened to her.

I find it strange that I should have to comfort you.

After all, you still have some hope.

She's not married, you know. She's looking for a room

As he gets older he looks more and more like his father.

Remember old Génessier, the lawyer? He wasn't exactly skinny either.

He's certainly had a spate of bad luck.

He lost his wife four years ago,

and now his daughter.

Paris, fame, fortune...

What does it all amount to?

Who's the young man?

He was the girl's fiancé, a doctor.

He works with the Professor.

And the woman?

His secretary, apparently.

A foreigner.

She looks upset.

Go home, my boy.

Goodbye, sir. Goodbye.

No, let's leave.

I like things done properly.

No, let's go. I can't take any more.

Be quiet!

TO MY BELOVED DAUGHTER

DR GÉNESSIER'S RESIDENCE

NO PATIENTS OR VISITORS BEYOND THIS POINT

Where did you find this?

I hate the way you rummage through everything.

I haven't had time to explain it to you yet, darling.

Of course you see your name with a black border around it.

Well? What are you imagining?

I don't have to imagine.

I see terrible things. I experience them.

What have you done now?

What had to be done, for your own good.

Always for your own good, Christiane.

This death certificate was a simple matter of switching names.

Since that girl died after the operation,

I took another risk.

I led them to believe it was you.

Since people think you're dead,

they won't look any further.

They won't try to find out what is going on here.

Christiane... your mask!

You must get into the habit of wearing it once and for all.

Where have you hidden it?

Habit!

I just meant you should get into the habit of wearing it

until we are successful.

Please don't cry, darling.

I will succeed, I promise you.

I don't believe that any more.

You have no reason to doubt me.

Am I not worthy of my reputation?

You shall have a real face,

I promise you.

I am not allowed mirrors

but I can see my reflection in the window.

If the window is open,

there are other shiny surfaces...

the blade of a knife,

polished wood.

My face frightens me.

My mask terrifies me even more.

Have faith, Christiane.

Look at me.

Did he not succeed with me?

You at least had a face.

Damaged, perhaps,

but not destroyed like mine.

He's lying to me.

He's lying because he knows he was to blame.

To blame?

It was a car accident, a simple case of bad luck.

Bad luck?

He always has to dominate, even on the road.

He drove like a lunatic.

I nearly died after the accident.

Why did he go to such lengths to keep me alive?

I wish I were blind.

Or dead.

Christiane.

Hello?

Hello?

Who is this?

Say something.

Go on.

I see you are on your own.

Would you like this spare ticket?

My friend hasn't turned up.

I'd be delighted.

The trouble is, I was intending to buy a cheaper seat.

Don't worry. I don't want any money for it.

Thank you.

Sorry I'm late. My class overran.

Don't worry.

I'm just anxious to pass on the good news.

I've found you a room.

I can't believe it!

I'm so pleased.

How can I ever thank you?

Don't thank me until you've seen the room.

- I think you'll like it. - Whereabouts is it?

In a lovely neighbourhood.

What can I get for you?

She'll have what I'm having.

I'll drive you there.

The owners are friends of mine.

You'll see. It's surrounded by trees.

It seems very far out.

I went the long way round.

The direct route gets so congested at this time of day.

There's the train to Paris.

It takes less than 20 minutes.

Don't you feel lonely, so far away from your family?

Yes, a little, sometimes.

Those dogs...

How many are there?

You'll be well protected.

Miss Edna Grüber.

Mr Dormeuil.

It's a pleasure to meet you.

A drop of port to revive you after your journey?

No, thank you, sir. I don't want to stay too long.

Come, now. What's the hurry?

I'll show you your room in a minute.

It has a lovely view over the trees.

I'm sure you'll like it.

I'm not so sure. I need time to think about it.

Come, now.

You really must see the room first.

Of course, it's hard to judge in the dark.

It's not that.

The suburbs aren't very convenient for me.

Nonsense.

The suburbs are very convenient, very convenient indeed.

Maybe you're right,

but I don't want to be too late getting back to Paris tonight.

I'm meeting a friend. I'll let you know tomorrow

Tomorrow will be too late, my dear.

Quickly, open the door.

I'll start after dinner.

But this time I must try a larger graft,

in one piece,

with no joins.

Pencil.

Scalpel.

Mop my brow.

Pencil.

Scalpel.

Pliers.

Pliers.

Pliers.

Pliers.

Pliers.

Pliers.

Here we go.

People are all the same, Doctor.

They love their pets when they're young.

But when their pets grow up and start eating too much

they abandon them in the woods.

I don't think you should ever do things by halves.

Especially seeing as the second half is by far the easiest.

Right.

Come on.

Quiet!

Calm down!

Put a sock in it!

- Did she eat properly? - She ate very well.

About time too. She was wasting away. She's happy this time.

- She has faith. - At last.

I showed her how well it is healing this time.

I changed her bandages. The wound is clean.

It looks perfect, so much better than yesterday, you'll see.

I'm so afraid.

Don't be.

I'm confident this time too.

I can only hope.

A success such as this... God, you can't put a price on it.

I have caused so much harm in order to perform this miracle.

So much harm to you too.

I know, but I shall never forget that I owe my face to you.

Yes.

I sometimes forget that myself.

With good reason.

You can barely see the scars.

Shh, Louise.

What have you decided to do about Edna?

Look after her, feed her.

I'll let you know later.

It's Edna. She's escaped. She went that way.

No other details spring to mind?

No.

Actually, yes.

Edna said the woman always wore a wide pearl necklace.

Do you know the sort I mean?

She wore it high around her neck, like a choker.

I know the sort, not that it helps much.

Thanks anyway.

Sign this.

There. You can go now, miss.

She's a pretty girl.

Another one with blue eyes.

All of them students,

all the same age, all the same type.

And all mysteriously disappearing.

This one's Swiss. We'll have the embassy on the phone.

Talking of blue-eyed girls,

what do I do with mine?

She stole something from a shop.

Give her a stern telling-off and let her go.

But get her address.

It might come in handy.

This sort of thing will land you in jail.

I've never done it before.

I don't know what came over me.

You'll wind up in court next time.

Give me your address.

12 Rue des Pyrénées, 20th arrondissement.

Now hop it.

I knew I'd succeed.

To think you doubted me.

Now that you have your pretty face...

your real face...

you can start living again.

True,

but first I need to come back from the dead.

How do I do that?

You'll travel for starters.

You'll go on a long trip.

I'll arrange papers for you.

You can choose a name for yourself.

It will be fun.

A new face,

a new identity.

You're more beautiful than ever.

There's something angelic about you now.

Angelic? I'm not so sure about that.

Whenever I look in the mirror,

it's as if I'm looking at someone who resembles me...

but who seems very distant,

very distant.

What about Jacques?

Yes, Jacques...

Yes, that does pose a problem.

I'll explain to him.

He loves you so much.

He'll be very happy.

Smile.

Smile.

Not too much.

Hello? I see.

Give him a shot of Pentothal. I'll be right there.

Another emergency.

Will you come with me? I'm sorry, darling.

I hope you're not using make-up.

No.

Why?

No reason.

You have a rosy cheeks, that's all.

See you tomorrow, darling.

I won't be long. I'll come and say good night.

You seemed anxious when you examined her.

Your imagination is working overtime.

Why are you lying?

I've known you long enough to be able to read your face.

Tell me the truth.

It's failed.

15 February.

20 February.

A week after healing,

spots of pigmentation appear.

Later, palpation reveals small subcutaneous nodules.

By day 12 necrosis of the graft tissue is evident.

Day 20.

The first ulcerations appear and the graft tissue comes unstuck.

There are signs of infection.

The dead graft tissue must be removed.

Christiane...

Take any old dog

and everything is possible.

I'll just have to settle for these bitches.

I'm listening.

Say something. This is infuriating!

Say something, will you?

Jacques.

Christiane!

Are you mad? Who were you phoning?

Nobody.

Do you realise how reckless you're being?

I know the dead must remain silent.

I wish I had died for real.

I can't bear it any more.

I don't dare look at myself any more.

I don't dare touch my face

for fear of feeling fissures and cracks.

My skin feels like rubber.

Calm down, my dear.

Trust him. He will succeed, I know he will.

You're lying. He'll never succeed.

He'll continue experimenting on me as if I were one of his dogs.

A human guinea-pig. What a godsend for him.

You have no right to say that.

I want to die. Please, I'm begging you.

Downstairs are those injections he gives the dogs when things go wrong.

Have mercy!

Don't say that!

You must kill me. I can't bear it any more.

I can't bear it.

Come quickly!

I'm sure it was Christiane's voice I heard.

You just think you heard it, and over the phone too.

Have you told Professor Génessier?

Of course, but he is adamant that the body was his daughter.

I know. I was there.

What do you want me to say?

Perhaps it was a joke in poor taste.

Even so...

Like I said, Doctor, I only deal in facts.

These files are full of witness statements.

"I think that..." "It seems to me that..."

Vague descriptions.

Here... The red taxi that picked this girl up.

The pretty woman with the pearl choker

who accompanied this other girl.

A pearl choker?

Does that ring a bell with you?

Wait...

Yes, it reminds me of someone.

But the other day you said I was off the hook.

I hoped you were, Miss Paulette Mérodon.

But the case went to my superiors and they found me too lenient.

I suppose I'm done for, then.

- Will I go to jail? - You'll go to court first.

Court?

My parents will never get over it.

I've been thinking...

There may be a way round all this.

Of course, it would demand a great deal of discretion

and some intelligence.

Oh, I can be very discreet.

As for intelligence... as long as it's not too complicated.

Don't worry. You just need to do us a small favour.

- What do I have to do? - Bleach your hair for starters.

- You're joking. - We don't go in for jokes here.

You need to be blonder, a lot blonder.

- I'm not sure it will suit me - Never mind that.

Next you'll see a doctor who'll have you admitted to a clinic.

- But I'm not ill. - Just pretend you are.

You can brief her on the details.

At the clinic you'll complain of headaches.

I'll write it all down.

I'll give you a note to take to Dr Gleize.

Here. Dr Gleize.

He'll give you a letter for Dr Génessier.

Dr Jacques Vernon?

Speaking.

Hello.

What's that?

Wait while I make a note of that.

Paulette...

I think we can admit her tomorrow morning.

Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on her.

I get it. It's just to test out a theory.

If anything happens, I'll let you know straight away.

Goodbye.

- You're on the mend. - Indeed I am, Doctor.

This young lady was admitted this morning.

- Who referred her? - Dr Gleize.

Here's the letter.

Are you in a lot of pain?

Yes.

At times.

Do an ophthalmoscopy and an electroencephalogram today.

Doctor...

are you going to shave my head?

No.

I hope not, anyway.

That would be a shame.

An electro... encephalogram?

Hello, old son.

Don't be afraid.

We're friends, aren't we?

Don't touch your forehead.

Tell me how many fingers I'm holding up.

How many?

How many?

Three.

And how many this time?

Three.

No... two.

- What do you think, doctor? - I'm very hopeful.

Tell me, Doctor...

- Can you save him? - Of course.

Have faith.

Your prognosis?

And yours?

Then we agree.

Close your eyes.

Open your eyes.

Shut them.

That's it. You can open your eyes now.

You'll feel a slight electric shock.

It won't hurt.

Don't move your head.

Shut your eyes.

Carry on.

Open your eyes.

Shut them.

Open them.

Shut them.

Open your eyes.

Shut them.

Open them.

Shut them.

Have the chart brought to me as soon as you've finished.

Yes, sir.

Open your eyes.

Shut them.

There doesn't appear to be anything wrong with Paulette Mérodon.

Come in.

Number 15 is haemorrhaging, sir.

Go and see to it, Jacques.

Right, sir.

Come in.

Here's the chart, sir.

Right.

No abnormalities.

Discharge her tonight.

That will free up a bed.

We may well have an emergency tonight.

- Am I supposed to give you this form? - That's right. Thank you, miss.

- Can I make a call? - To Paris?

Yes.

- What number? - Botzaris 42-84.

Thank you.

Mum? It's Paulette.

No, everything's fine. I'm coming home now.

See you in a bit.

- What do I owe you? - There's no charge.

How do I get back to Paris?

There's a bus. Turn left as you leave.

- It's a 15 minute walk. - Thank you.

Can I offer you a lift? I'm going your way.

I'd be most grateful.

Inspector Parot?

It's Jacques Vernon

What's that, Doctor?

She's left already?

There's no hanging about in your clinic.

They certainly don't keep them locked up anyway.

What did I tell you?

We'll check anyway to make sure she got home safely.

Thanks for letting us know.

Goodbye, Doctor.

There are two men asking for you at the clinic.

You know I don't have time.

Tell them to come back tomorrow.

Good evening, gentlemen.

Good evening, Professor.

We're sorry to bother you at this hour.

We need to be certain Paulette Mérodon left the clinic earlier.

How did you know she was due to leave today?

She phoned her mother this afternoon to say she'd be back.

She never arrived home, so...

So we came down here to check.

It's easily verified.

I gave orders to discharge this patient.

- Has Paulette Mérodon left the building? - I'll check, sir.

So you're interested in this young lady?

Yes, she's mixed up in a case we're on.

We wanted to talk to her tonight.

I'm afraid it looks as if you're too late.

Paulette Mérodon. Here we are.

I remember her now: a girl with blue eyes.

She made a phone call from here. I told her where to catch the bus.

You see?

I'm sorry, but once they go through these doors

my patients are no longer my responsibility.

I understand, Professor.

Our apologies once again for having disturbed you.

Don't mention it.

- Good night, then, Professor. - Good night.

Seeing as you're leaving, Jacques,

be so good as to show these gentlemen out.

Gentlemen...

I'm sorry if I've wasted your time.

Don't worry about it, Doctor.

We're used to following up false leads.

You bet.

Your imagination's working overtime. Mine would be too.

All these coincidences.

I wanted to be sure in my heart of hearts.

Well, now we are sure.

And talking of hearts,

I'm sure things will work out for you on that score.

You're young, doctor.

You have your life ahead of you.

Yes.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Goodbye.

Put that down, Christiane.

Put that down!

Why?