Eyes Without a Face (film)

Eyes Without a Face
French theatrical release poster
FrenchLes yeux sans visage
Directed byGeorges Franju
Written byBoileau-Narcejac
Jean Redon
Claude Sautet
Pierre Gascar
Based onLes Yeux sans visage
(1959 novel)
by Jean Redon
Produced byJules Borkon
Starring
CinematographyEugen Schüfftan
Edited byGilbert Natot
Music byMaurice Jarre
Production
companies
Distributed byLux Compagnie Cinématographique de France
Release dates
  • 2 March 1960 (1960-03-02) (Paris, France)
Running time
90 minutes
Countries
  • France
  • Italy
LanguageFrench

Eyes Without a Face (French: Les Yeux sans visage) is a 1960 horror film directed by Georges Franju and starring Pierre Brasseur, Alida Valli, Juliette Mayniel, and Édith Scob. Based on a novel of the same name by French author Jean Redon, it revolves around a plastic surgeon who is determined to perform a face transplant on his daughter, who was disfigured in a car crash.

An international co-production between France's Champs-Élysées Productions and Italy's Lux Film, Eyes Without a Face was shot in Paris and the surroundings suburbs, and at Boulogne Studios. During the film's production, consideration was given to the standards of European censors by minimizing gore. Although Eyes Without a Face was cleared by censors, its release in Europe caused controversy. Critical reaction ranged from praise to disgust.

The film's initial critical reception was not overtly positive, but subsequent theatrical and home video re-releases improved its reputation. Modern critics praise Eyes Without a Face for its poetic approach to the horror genre, as well as for being an influence on other filmmakers. It is widely-recognized as one of the greatest and most influential horror films of all time.