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Bluebeard is a 1944 French drama film directed by Jean Cocteau, based on the novella "La Vie et les Morts" (Life and Death) by Gaston Leroux. The film takes place during World War I in France, where Landru, a charismatic but troubled individual, assumes multiple identities to seduce and murder women he meets through personal ads in newspapers. The story begins with Landru, a widower and father of four children, struggling to make ends meet while working as a postman. Desperate to provide for his family's survival, Landru resorts to killing off the women who respond to his newspaper ads, using their insurance policies to support his household. As the body count rises, so do suspicions among the Parisian police, who are baffled by the lack of leads and the seemingly random nature of the crimes. Meanwhile, a young woman named Elizabeth enters Landru's life, unaware of his true identity or motivations. She is drawn to him despite her friends' warnings about his reputation as a "Bluebeard," a nickname that has become synonymous with the mysterious and brutal murders. As Elizabeth becomes increasingly entangled in Landru's web of deceit, she begins to uncover the dark truth behind the murders. Throughout the film, Cocteau explores themes of morality, loneliness, and the human condition during wartime. The stark contrast between the beauty and tranquility of rural France and the devastation of war serves as a backdrop for the tragic events that unfold. Landru's character is particularly complex, embodying both the charm and vulnerability of a desperate man pushed to the brink. The film features a distinctive blend of realism and fantasy, with Cocteau's use of symbolism and visual storytelling adding depth and atmosphere to the narrative. The performances by Jean Valmy as Landru and Michel Auclair as Inspector Marty are particularly noteworthy for their nuance and emotional range.

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