Reign of Terror (film)
| Reign of Terror | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster
|
|
| Directed by | Anthony Mann |
| Produced by |
William Cameron Menzies Walter Wanger (executive, uncredited) |
| Screenplay by |
Aeneas MacKenzie Philip Yordan |
| Story by | Aeneas MacKenzie Philip Yordan |
| Starring |
Robert Cummings Richard Basehart |
| Music by | Sol Kaplan |
| Cinematography | John Alton |
| Edited by | Fred Allen |
|
Production
company |
Walter Wanger Productions
|
| Distributed by | Eagle-Lion films |
|
Release date
|
|
|
Running time
|
89 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $771,623 |
| Box office | $692,671 |
Reign of Terror (also known as The Black Book) is a 1949 American drama film directed by Anthony Mann and starring Robert Cummings, Richard Basehart and Arlene Dahl. The film is set during the French Revolution. Plotters seek to bring down Maximilien Robespierre and end his bloodthirsty Reign of Terror.
Already the most powerful man in France, Maximilien Robespierre (Richard Basehart) wants to become the nation's dictator. He summons François Barras (Richard Hart), the only man who can nominate him before the National Convention. Barras refuses to do so and goes into hiding.
Meanwhile, patriot Charles D'Aubigny (Robert Cummings) secretly kills and impersonates Duval (Charles Gordon), the bloodstained prosecutor of Strasbourg, who had been summoned to Paris by Robespierre for some unknown purpose (which Robespierre's enemies want very much to ascertain). Neither Robespierre nor Fouché (Arnold Moss), the chief of his secret police, have met Duval before, so the substitution goes undetected. Robespierre informs D'Aubigny that his black book, containing the names of those he intends to denounce and have executed, has been stolen. Robespierre's numerous foes are kept in check by the uncertainty of whether their names are on the list. If they were to learn for certain that they are, they would band together against him. He gives D'Aubigny authority over everyone in France, save himself, and 24 hours to retrieve the book.
D'Aubigny meets Barras (Richard Hart) through his sole contact, Madelon (Arlene Dahl), whom D'Aubigny once loved. However, he was followed, and Barras is arrested by the police, led by Saint-Just. D'Aubigny finds himself in an uncomfortable position, but manages to allay the suspicions of both sides that he has betrayed them.
...
Wikipedia