Product Review

The redoubtable Inspector Maigret, as ably portrayed by Jean Gabin, returns to the small town where he grew up to come to the aid of a friend. The Contessa St. Fiacre has been receiving threats from someone unknown and Maigret is her only hope. Not just a friend, the Contessa was once his romantic interest. But when she is murdered, his placid countenance gives way to a steady anger that eventually bursts loose in the emotional finale when he finally confronts the murderer.

Jean Gabin is a perfect choice for Maigret, having taken over the role in "Maigret Lays A Trap" the previous year. And the setting of this case is most appropriate. The portrait of this rural village, away from the hubbub of Paris, gives us a good look at the humble beginnings of the great detective. Shaped by the great writing of Georges Simenon, we get a detailed peek at the mind of Maigret, a detective who relies not on lab tests or crime scene photos, but instead uses his probing psychological skills to flush out the murderer. It's all old-school detecting here, complete with the gathering of the suspects together in a room for the final reveal. And the murderer is ....

DVD EXTRAS
Publi-Cine - A choice collection of French Movie Theatre ads from the 1950s and 1960s. At turns clever and familiar, these ads are always very French. Products include Diorino Cleanser, Esso Gasoline, Bic Pens, Gitane Cigarettes. RB Blades, Cadoricin Shampoo and more.