Dr. Petiot

I saw this film when it was released in the UK, and it's one of the most memorable I've seen (and I've seen thousands!) It has a tone all its own, and features probably Michel Serrault's greatest performance. I can still see him going about his grisly business to the accompaniment of tango music. We had our own, more recent version of Petiot in Dr. Harold Shipman, who ushered many of his old patients into the next world. As with Petiot, you got the impression that it wasn't so much greed as the enjoyment of killing and getting away with it that motivated him. People will always be fascinated by such cases: it's a sad fact that evil is more interesting than good. The film is obviously best enjoyed on the big screen, but Richard Maddock and anyone else who wants to see it on DVD with English subtitles should e-mail Movie Detective, based in Seattle. Their DVDs are all regions, and they have enabled me to see so many rare films which are unavailable elsewhere. This one isn't on their site, but is available by e-mail.