Shock Treatment (1973)

A French businesswoman goes to a remote and popular rejuvenation clinic after a breakup, and begins to suspect the treatment methods used by the head doctor, and slowly uncovers the horrible secret behind the clinic's success.

Director:

Alain Jessua

Writers:

Alain Jessua (scenario), Roger Curel (adaptation) (co-writer)

Stars:

Alain Delon, Annie Girardot, Robert Hirsch

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alain Delon	...	Docteur Devilers
Annie Girardot	...	Hélène Masson
Robert Hirsch	...	Gérôme Savignat
Michel Duchaussoy	...	Docteur Bernard
Gabriel Cattand	...	Procureur de Boissière
Jeanne Colletin	...	Camille Giovanelli
Robert Party	...	Colonel de Riberolles
Jean Roquel	...	Marcel Lussac
Roger Muni	...	Paul Giovanelli
Lucienne Legrand	...	Lise de Riberolle
Anne-Marie Deschodt	...	Henriette Lussac
Salvino Di Pietra
Gabriella Cotta Ramusino
Nicole Gueden	...	La femme du cafetier
François Landolt

Storyline

When the executive of the fashion industry Hélène Masson is dumped by her lover, she has a midlife crisis and her friend Gérôme Savignat advises her to spend vacation in the isolated rejuvenation clinic owned by Dr. Devilers and his partner Dr. Berbard. Hélène is welcomed by the happy clients and befriends the Portuguese employee João, who is an illegal immigrant, practicing her knowledge in Portuguese language with him. After the first injection of a formula based on animal blood, Hélène feels very well, But soon Gérôme can not afford to pay the treatment and commits suicide. Then João disappears and Dr. Devilers does not allow her to check-out the clinic. Hélène goes further in her investigation of the clinic and finds the secret of the rejuvenation formula of Dr. Devilers.

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Plot Keywords:

male objectification | naked in public | public nudity | naked swimming | nude swimming | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Did You Know?

Trivia

A lot of well known french actors get completely naked in a memorable and unexpected fun scene

User Reviews

Shocking enough ?

The biggest shock was watching the interview with the director, Jessua, on the special features disc. Anyone less like a movie personality would be hard to imagine. More like your friendly neighbourhood greengrocer. How did this guy ever stray into the cinematic world ? If this flick became a success it was because it presented two stars, in roles which did not type-cast them. There is also an extended, reasonably unshocking, nudist scene of numerous extras at the seaside. Including the stars, Delon and Girardot. Hilarious. Weird is not the word. Plot and direction are beyond eccentric. Positively peculiar. Sort of haphazard. Murder, immigrant exploitation, police and other corruption are the message. Same as what used to be that of the News of the World, of distant British memory. Shock enjoyed for phony moral reasons.

Details

Country:

France Italy

Language:

French Portuguese

Release Date:

November 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

Shock Treatment

Filming Locations:

Hotel Castel Clara, Bangor, Morbihan, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

A.J. Films, Lira Films, Medusa Distribuzione

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1