It's not a masterpiece, it's not even a great film but it is interesting and it's a film that should be seen by anyone with a serious interest in the medium. Franju, even when not firing on all cylinders is not someone to be dismissed because there will always be a germ, an element, that is worth a look, or a second or third. No one seems to have noticed the obvious flaw in the ointment: the premise - not unlike that in Laughter In Paradise - centres on an eccentric personage faced with death and desirous of making his heirs jump through hoops before getting their hands on his money. In this case the heirs cannot inherit until five years have elapsed (unless his missing corpse is located before that time-limit expires. Not only that but during those five years the deceased's large chateau must be maintained. Strangley enough ALL the heirs have nothing pressing to occupy them i.e. no lives, and are free to drop everything and put their shoulders to the wheel. Once you get past this improbability there is much to enjoy, not least atmosphere, Franju's stock in trade.
Review of Spotlight on a Murderer
