Alida Valli: In Her Own Words

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 1959 novel by Jean Redon, who also co-wrote the screenplay, it centers on 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 surrounding 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. The film was released in the US on March 28, 1962 (retitled The Horror Chamber of Dr. Faustus), playing on a double feature with the 1959 Japanese film The Manster.