Summary
In the college of St-Agil, three boys, Baume, Sorgue and Macroix, form a secret society
"Les Chiche-capons", meeting in the science room each night to plan a clandestine voyage
to America. One day, Sorgue mysteriously disappears and a fortnight later
his friends receive a postcard from America in his handwriting. Baume and Macroix
decide that they must follow him to America, but a few days later Macroix also goes missing.
When the art teacher, Lemesle, is killed in mysterious circumstances, Baume decides that
desperate measures are needed to uncover the truth. No one can be trusted, least
of all the sinister language teacher, Monsieur Walter, who is known to have had a grudge
against Lemesle. Then Baume too disappears...
Review
Les Disparus de Saint-Agil is classic of French cinema, an atmospheric comedy thriller
with dark elements of fantasy and mysticism, which is regarded as one of director Christian-Jaque’s
best works. It is a film which vividly contrasts the naïve romanticism of young
boys with the cruelty and materialism of men and is simultaneously an entertaining and
disturbing work. The noirish cinematography helps to create a sense of mystery and
tension which doesn't let up until the very end of the film, although some subtle comedy
provides some relief along the way.
Whilst the script and direction are creditable, the film’s strength lies in the quality
of the acting, since it is this which gives the film its charm and extraordinary character.
The film stars Erich Von Stroheim and Michel Simon, two giants of 1930s French cinema,
each of whom turns in one of his most memorable performances. Simon is both
humorous and pathetic and as the failed artist who ends up as a third rate art teacher,
whilst Von Stroheim's initial appearance in the film is masterfully chilling, easily wrong-footing
the audience into believing that he is the villain of the piece.
Whilst it is also possible to enjoy the performances of Armand Bernard (who plays the
occult-obsessed caretaker) and Robert Le Vigan (the man who can walk through walls, apparently),
the show ends up being stolen by its cast of very talented child actors. Particularly
impressive are the three young stars of the film, Serge Grave, Marcel Mouloudji
and Jean Claudi, who are each as believable as they are enchanting in the roles of the
three who disappeared at the school of St-Agil.
© James Travers 2002
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