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Jeanne Moreau, for whom Richardson would leave his wife, Vanessa Redgrave, a year after the film was released, takes the title role, an enigmatic character who outwardly appears to be respectable and wholesome, but leads a secret double life as a poisoner, arsonist and sociopath – the story begins as she opens the floodgates to a reservoir, causing the flooding of the village in which she lives.

Manni, an itinerant Italian forester, becomes the chief suspect in the investigation into Mademoiselle’s crimes, mostly due to the prejudices of the local men than any actual evidence; he’s also disliked thanks to the fact he’s like catnip to the ladies.

Mademoiselle isn’t immune to his charms either, and you’re left wondering if she carries out her wanton acts of destruction due to her sexual frustrations. Whatever the answer, her behaviour seems set to go unchecked – despite one person uncovering her dark secret.

Based on a story by Jean Genet, the film is difficult to classify – is it a horror movie, a sexual thriller, a social commentary or a dark drama? In truth it hardly matters; Richardson produced something astonishing and, at times, truly shocking with something important to say about how privilege and education can help people get away with anything.

Director: Tony Richardson
Cast: Jeanne Moreau, Ettore Manni, Keith Skinner, Umberto Orsini, Georges Aubert, Jane Beretta, Paul Barge, Pierre Collet, Gerard Darrieu, Jean Gras, Gabriel Gobin, Rosine Luguet, Antoine Marin
Country: France, UK
Genre: Drama

BD50, DVD9 | 1080p AVC, PAL | 01:43:36 | 43.9 Gb, 7.28 Gb + 3% rec
Language: English
Subtitles: English

Extras:

• Audio commentary by film scholar Adrian Martin
In this newly recorded commentary, Martin discusses about the film in detail from the praises to even the negativity surrounding it. From the history and attached names like Louis Malle, Joseph Losey, Marlon Brando and others, the production's artistic merits with minimalism and the symbolism, the changes made from the original story to script, and much more. He reads quite a few quotes from critics that are less than flattering, and Martin does acknowledge the flaws the film has. It's a very interesting commentary that looks at multiple views and not just the praises.

• "Keith Skinner: Remembering Mademoiselle" (36:02)
In this new interview from August 2020 with the former actor, Skinner recalls his start as a child actor from "A Hard Day's Night", filming "Mademoiselle" in France, his recollections of the shoot and the harsh reception, and also his life after acting becoming an authority on the history of Jack the Ripper.

• "Doll's Eye" 1983 film (74:26)
"Doll's Eye" was co-produced by the BFI and Channel 4 and directed by Jan Worth. Screened during Channel 4’s "The Eleventh Hour" in 1983, the film focuses on three women in London - Jane (played by Bernice Stegers) a researcher, Maggie (played by Sandy Ratcliffe) a sex worker, and Jackie (played by Lynne Worth) a telephone operator and also working as a babysitter for both Jane and Maggie's children. With the troubles the women go through in daily life, it is also coupled with narration by various "men" giving a harsh and cruel contrast to what women must face.

• Image Gallery (6:00)
An automated slideshow gallery featuring behind the scenes stills and promotional posters, with some rare stills in color. This is presented without music or narration.

• Original Theatrical Trailer (2:00)
The original trailer with no dialogue is presented here in a cropped aspect ratio.