Michel Carré

The philosopher Faust is profoundly depressed by his inaptitude to reach fulfillment through knowledge and thinks of committing suicide. He damns happiness, science and faith and calls on Satan to guide him. Méphistophélès agrees to fulfill the wishes of the philosopher, in exchange for his services in the infernal regions. Faust signs then the document and is transformed into a noble young person.

At the time of its release, L'Assommoir was hugely successful. Based on Zola's novel, this movie is about the free fall of human beings, deals with degradation, alcoholism and it is, in short, a very pessimistic story.

Esmeralda, a beautiful gypsy street dancer, arouses the desire of men, especially of Claude Frollo, the archdeacon of Notre Dame. The latter asks Quasimodo, the deaf and deformed bell-ringer of the cathedral, to kidnap the girl. Quasimodo, who has been adopted by Frollo and obeys his every word, captures the gypsy but she is saved thanks to Phoebus, a handsome captain, and his archers. Arrested by Phoebus, the hunchback is condemned to be flogged at the pillory.

Cécile Guyon is young Pierrot. He has fallen in love with the laundress, pretty Jane Renouardt. However, she wants more than a lover whose poor fashion sense impels him to dress as a stage clown. She wants jewelry, pretty clothes, and probably a string of poloponies, so Guyon robs his parents' safe and steals their life savings so he can run off with Mlle Renouardt.

Macbeth, the Thane of Glamis, receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders his king and takes the throne for himself.