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The Mystery of the Rocks of Kador
directed in 1913 by Leonce Perret
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Version restored in 1993 by
Pierre Phillippe with Beatrice Valbin
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Inserts and title cards
by Eurocitel
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This copy was projected
at 16 fps
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Prologue
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The Will of
the Marquis de Keranic
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Miss, Sir, I will read to you
the will of your uncle and cousin
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Jean-Marie, Marquis de Keranic
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I bequeath all my worldly goods
to my young niece Suzanne de Lormel,
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orphan, today aged 18 years.
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Until her coming of age, the enjoyment
of my bequest will belong to
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her guardian, my cousin, Fernand de Keranic
whom I choose to execute my will.
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In the eventuality of
my young niece's demise,
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my cousin Fernand de Keranic
will become my sole heir.
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The same will apply
if she enters a convent,
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or is struck by a major infirmity,
such as blindness or madness.
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Written entirely in my own hand.
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Part one
A Summer in Brittany
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Suzanne now lives
with her guardian in Brittany.
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But after a short while
her heart awakens.
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And it is to her diary
she confides her amorous secrets.
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Today I had the happiness
of seeing and hearing him.
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This morning, in full Captain's uniform,
he galloped across the Dunes ford.
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This evening at the hotel he played
an andante by Popper on his cello.
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I have come here to be near you.
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I love you with all my soul, Suzanne.
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Tell me please, that I can hope.
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If you love me you will excuse
this first letter
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and you will allow me to write again.
Jean d'Erguy.
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I am tired of waiting. Your marriage
to your cousin cannot be concluded.
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If after a period of one month you
have failed to reimburse the F 200,000
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that you have extorted from me
I will take you to court.
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If I cannot be paid, I will at least
render society a service
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by unmasking the rogue who hides
beneath the guise of a gentleman.
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The time is propitious.
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Fernand de Keranic leads his cousin
to visit the rocks of Kador.
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Suzanne, I have a confession to make.
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This is not your guardian
who speaks to you, it is...
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Suzanne, will you be my wife?
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I have come here to be near you.
I love you with all my soul, Suzanne.
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Tell me please, that I can hope.
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If you love me you will excuse
this first letter
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and you will allow me to write again.
Jean d'Erguy.
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Misfortune to him
if he crosses my path.
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In the shadows of his office,
Fernand de Keranic listens to the voices
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which infinitely repeat
the terms of the will:
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"In the eventuality of
my young niece's demise..."
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Come tomorrow afternoon
to the Rocks of Kador
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I will be in the cave
where you will see a fire. Suzanne.
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The following day.
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Excuse me, Suzanne...
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Forget my error
and let us remain friends.
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Shooting seagulls near
the rocks of Kador.
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In one hour, the tide will reach
the depths of the cave:
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and the body of Suzanne will join
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that of the man
to whom she had given her heart.
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The sea carries away the boat,
plaything of the wind and the waves.
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All through the night,
Suzanne, crazed,
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yells helplessly in the face
of a raging sea.
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In the morning,
fishermen discover the stranded boat.
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The Public Attorney
investigates on site
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aided by Fernand de Keranic.
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Interrogation Captain d'Erquy
impossible condition desperate
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The prosecutor enquires
into the condition
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of the unfortunate
Suzanne de Lormel.
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In the office of L'etang de Jeande.
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Sir, At the end of my enquiry at Kador,
at the very locations of the drama,
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I was able to visit Suzanne de Lormel,
god-daughter of the Count de Keranic.
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I came to realise the young girl
presented undoubted symptoms of insanity
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that the careful attentions of her
guardian have been unable to contradict.
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It is therefore open to you to execute
the terms of the will to which the Count
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drew your attention.
Public Attorney
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Part Two
The Method of Professor Williams
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Finally healed of his wounds,
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Jean d'Erquy rests
in the town of Neuilly.
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My dear Jean,
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I am delighted to learn
you are in better health.
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If only our dear Suzanne
could awaken from this nightmare!
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Alas, it seems the poor child will be
far too long trapped in the darkness
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that this mysterious drama
has plunged her.
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But, if I can believe a recently
read scientific review,
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it seems progress is possible
where all cure has been forbidden.
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Professor Williams' studies
have given evidence of results.
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Do you think he could study
our dear Suzanne's case?
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My dear Sir,
let me stop you right away.
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The case you submit is exemplary
in the quest for my method's research.
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Communication from the Academy of Medicine
on the observations of Professor Williams
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on the application of
cinematography to psychotherapy.
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Well, we'll met at Kador, Professor.
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Now, all that remains is to film
some scenes on the high seas!
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Look, Suzanne...
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She cries...
She is saved!
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A short while later
at Jean d'Erquy's villa.
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This andante so soft under your bow,
at the setting sun,
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awakens in my heart echoes of the past.
Come to me. Suzanne.
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This writing...
But, it's not the same!
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Come tomorrow afternoon
to the Rocks of Kador
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I will be in the cave
where you will see a fire. Suzanne.
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Upstairs, close to Suzanne.
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Do you remember having
written me these lines, darling?
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Madame Dorlysse, please fetch me
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some handwriting
of the Count de Keranic!
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Jean d'Erquy is now resolved
to unmask the criminal.
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The Count is attending a masked ball
given by the Baron de la Nemeur.
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The town house of de la Nemeur.
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The office of the Chief of Police.
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Do you remember having written this?
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Come tomorrow afternoon
to the Rocks of Kador
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Epilogue.
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Subtitles: Corvusalbus
