Product Review

From a screenplay by Francois Truffaut

Mata Hari was the stage name of Margaretha Geertruida Zelle, a woman of many identities. She was an exotic dancer by trade, a courtesan out of necessity and the most famous spy of World War I. Jeanne Moreau plays Mata in a highly romanticized version of her life story.

She had captivated most of the public with her flirtatious manner and her highly provocative stage performance. In fact, her performance actually served a dual purpose. While her gestures may have seemed erotic, they were actually more than that. They were, in fact, coded messages to he employers, the Germans. And they now have a mission of a more personal nature for her. Mata is ordered to spy on Captain François Lasalle, a young officer who has classified papers of vital importance. This would appear to be no problem for the notorious spy, but she commits the one cardinal sin of espionage - never fall in love with the person you're spying on. In the end, this weakness proves fatal to Mata Hari and her days as a secret agent are ended.

Writer Francois Truffaut takes liberties with the facts in the story in order to showcase the talents of his startling leading lady. And the final result proves to be very much worth it. Moreau gives a performance that laces intrigue with romance and a sense of eventual impending doom.

DVD EXTRAS:
Mata Hari Trailer (1964) - A trailer for the Jeanne Moreau version of the film.
Mata Hari Trailer (1931) - An earlier version of the Mata Hari Legend starring Greta Garbo.
Dawn Express (1942) - An updating of the story to WWII produces a radically different kind of female spy. (Condensed Version)

CAUTION: Contains scenes of slight nudity.