Les liens de sang

Considered by many to be a strangely overlooked Chabrol it seems to me the reason it has been cold shouldered is its sleaze factor. Not as overtly sexy, violent or gory as many films of this period it nevertheless starts rather startlingly and although becoming more measured continues to ooze a rather unpleasant odour. Ms Audran, not here the ice maiden but a drunken mother, Donald Pleasence does a cameo as a child molester, David Hemmings has his eyes on underage sex and the central theme involves the relationship between a brother, sister and niece. No not very nice at all and Chabrol treats it all as if it is very normal (like it might be in some small French village!) instead of Ed McBain's New York City. Had this been treated in a more sensational manner then it would have been a more acceptable but lesser film. Here we really have to choose between the likelihood of various unpleasant options before the final denouement. Very watchable

Evocatively directed and slickly photographed psychological mystery thriller with an exceptional lead performance by a sombre Donald Sutherland, and potent support roles from Donald Pleasence and David Hemming. The material decides to keep it all glum, and moves from the investigation period into the back-story of the victim. The seldom, and quite sullen nature of investigation pulled me in, but when it flashback to the victim's side showing her final days weren't as compelling, and became somewhat stodgy and stock-like. While the script is strongly detailed and to a certain degree complex in stringing us along, however the final and surprising revelation should have been more bone-jarring and it's not helped out by its sloppy execution. Howard Blake's music score has an emotional sting to its cues that simply linger, and director Claude Chabrol's capable handling (well for most part) has a strong stylistic and tight manner, which gets the best out of moody locations and flexible cast. The young faces Lisa Langlois and Aude Landry do an incredibly good job as well.

"Blood Relatives" ("Les liens de sang") is unusual because the famous French director, Claude Chabrol, made the movie in English.

The story is set in Canada. A 17 year-old has been savagely murdered...hacked apart by a knife-wielding killer. The only witness appears to be her 15 year-old cousin...who was also stabbed in the attack. However, after describing the assailant, the 15 year-old inexplicably changes her story and blames the attack on her brother! But there's more to the story than this and Detective Steve Carella (Donald Sutherland) is determined to figure out the whole truth.

The overall story is good...with some intersting twists. But the incestuous elements of the story were handled in a manner that seemed exploitational...hyping up the sex and trying to titillate the audience. As a result, I think it's a good film but one that also manages to miss the mark. With different direction (sorry Mr. Chabrol), I think it could have been much better and less sensationalistic.

This oppressively creepy, sinisterly slashing, bone-fizzingly grim, Canadian-set murder mystery remains a darkly fascinating delight, so be sure to check it out if you dare to descend deep into the diabolically degenerated mind of one especially deviant killer!!! And nae bad it is too! (Personally, I'm rarely bored by murder maestro Claude!) Alongside the uber-talented character actor Donald Sutherland it also stars terror icon Donald Pleasence, sublimely gifted Gallic dream Stéphane Audran, and Deep Red's stilleto cool David Hemmings! Based on a popular crime novel by Ed McBain, Claude Chabrol's finely wrought, consistently engaging, impressively acted thriller is regarded by many cult film fans to be one of the very best McBain adaptations!

When Patricia Newell is attacked after witnessing her cousin's murder,Detective Carrella searches the city for her killer.Identifying the murderer after an intensive manhunt,Patricia is sent to live with relatives in the country.For Carrella the case is closed...or is it?"Blood Relatives" is an overlooked masterpiece.Donald Sutherland plays a cop and it's nice to see Donald Pleasance in a small role as a child molester.The conclusion is pretty disturbing.Still "Blood Relatives" is more of a mystery than a horror film,so fans of gore will be disappointed.A must-see for fans of old-fashioned mystery movies.9 out of 10.