ARROW BLU RAY RELEASE: Torment (1994)

Claude Chabrol made this film from a screenplay by Henri-Georges Clouzot, who never finished his version of the film when he started making it back in 1964.

Paul (François Cluzet) and Nelly (Emmanuelle Béart) have a relationship that falls apart due to his jealousy. L’Enfer means the “inferno of Hell” and that’s what they both go through, all because Paul assumes that his wife is sleeping with anyone and everyone. But is she just doing these things to drive him mad? Or is she the living embodiment of a Tex Avery cartoon, the kind of woman that men can’t control themselves around, and perhaps most frightening to men, one that knows it and uses it?

I’d say that at the least, I would not want to stay at the hotel that Paul is allowing to spiral madly out of control. That said, every man wants to marry a supermodel but is not ready for what work that entails. When everyone wants what you have — and you know it — and you’re as despicable a person as Paul is, there’s no way that your life can ever go well.

Arrow Video’s Lies And Deceit: Five Films By Claude Chabrol collected five high definitions (1080p) blu ray versions of Cop Au Vin and Inspector Lavardin to Madame Bovary, Betty and Torment. Each movie has an introduction by film scholar Joël Magny and select scene commentaries by Chabrol. Additionally, there’s an 80-page collector’s booklet of new writing by film critics Martyn Conterio, Kat Ellinger, Philip Kemp and Sam Wigley, trailers and image galleries for each movie and limited edition packaging with newly commissioned artwork by Tony Stella.

Torment has new commentary by critics Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Josh Nelson, as well as On Henri Georges Clouzot, an archival interview with Chabrol about Clouzot’s abandoned attempt to make L’enfer and an interview with producer Marin Karmitz.

You can order this set from MVD.

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