A gang of four professional criminals kidnaps a wealthy teenage girl from an airport in Paris in a meticulous plan to extort money from the girl’s wealthy father. Holding her prisoner in an isolated beach house, the gang’s scheme runs perfectly until their personal demons surface and lead to a series of betrayals.
The Night of the Following Day (1969) is a suspenseful, slow-burning crime thriller directed by Hubert Cornfield, based on Lionel White’s novel The Snatchers. The film stars Marlon Brando as a hardened criminal, and features Rita Moreno, Richard Boone, and Pamela Franklin in key roles. It follows a kidnapping plot set in a remote seaside house in Brittany, where a gang holds a young girl for ransom. The story is less focused on the victim and more on the tension within the criminal group, revealing their internal conflicts and struggles.
Plot Overview:
The movie centers around a gang that kidnaps a wealthy businessman’s daughter, taking her to a secluded house as they await the ransom demand. As the film unfolds, their dynamics begin to unravel—characters like Chauffeur (Brando) and Blonde (Moreno) reveal their vulnerabilities and personal motives, leading to a chaotic and violent disintegration of their partnership. While the victim’s fate is important, the film shifts attention towards the disillusionment of the criminals, particularly their mutual distrust and hidden agendas. The tension gradually builds as betrayals and violent confrontations take center stage.
Themes:
- Alienation and Isolation: The characters in The Night of the Following Day are marked by isolation, both physically and emotionally. Their actions reveal an overwhelming sense of detachment from society and from each other.
- Moral Ambiguity: Like many classic crime thrillers, this film challenges traditional notions of good and evil. The criminals are portrayed as morally complex figures rather than mere villains.
- Psychological Drama: The film delves into the psychological breakdown of its characters, exploring themes like guilt, betrayal, and addiction.
- Fate and Disintegration: There is a constant undercurrent of inevitability in the film, as the characters are driven toward a violent end due to their flaws and fractured relationships.
10 Reasons to Watch:
- Marlon Brando’s Performance: Brando brings a unique intensity to the film, portraying a complex, unpredictable character at a time when his personal life was becoming increasingly tumultuous.
- Atmospheric Tension: The film builds a sense of dread through its slow pace, grounded storytelling, and focus on the characters’ interactions rather than flashy action sequences.
- Strong Supporting Cast: Rita Moreno and Richard Boone deliver compelling performances, adding depth to the criminal dynamics.
- Unconventional Kidnapping Thriller: Unlike typical thrillers, the film spends less time focusing on the rescue and more on the psychological tension among the criminals.
- European Influences: The movie’s style takes inspiration from European auteurs, notably Jean-Pierre Melville’s films, giving it a darker, more introspective feel.
- Exploration of Human Fragility: It offers a deep dive into human weakness, with characters succumbing to their personal demons, including addiction and distrust.
- Gripping Atmosphere: The film’s isolated, bleak setting heightens its sense of claustrophobia, enhancing the viewer’s sense of unease.
- Realistic Depiction of Crime: Rather than glorifying the criminals, the film presents them as flawed individuals, highlighting the futility and consequences of their actions.
- Unique Direction: Hubert Cornfield’s approach to pacing and character development makes the film stand out as a slow-burning thriller.
- Cult Classic Appeal: Though it never reached mainstream popularity, The Night of the Following Day has developed a loyal following for its unconventional approach to the crime genre.
Emotional Impact:
Watching The Night of the Following Day leaves a lasting impression due to its dark, thought-provoking tone. Viewers may feel a mix of unease and resignation as they witness the unraveling of characters who are trapped in their own moral dilemmas. The film doesn’t offer clear heroes or villains, but rather explores the gray areas of human nature. After watching, you may feel a sense of emptiness, pondering the characters’ fates and the larger implications of their actions. The film’s ending, full of betrayal and self-destruction, leaves an unsettling aftertaste, emphasizing the tragic nature of the criminals’ lives.
