Demon of Paris

Movie
German title	Demon of Paris
Original title	Reign of Terror
Country of production	United States
original language	English
Publishing year	1949
length	89 minutes
Age rating	FSK 16
Rod
Director	Anthony Mann
script	Aeneas MacKenzie ; Philip Yordan
production	William Cameron Menzies
music	Sol Kaplan
camera	John Alton
cut	Fred Allen
occupation
	Robert Cummings : Charles D'Aubigny; Richard Basehart : Maximilien Robespierre; Richard Hart : François Barras; Arlene Dahl : Madelon; Arnold Moss : Fouché; Norman Lloyd : Tallien , Barra's assistant; Charles McGraw : Sergeant; Beulah Bondi : Grandmother Blanchard; Jess Barker : Saint-Just;

Demon of Paris (original title: Reign of Terror , also known in Germany under the name The Black Book or Guillotine and in Austria as the Reign of Terror ) is an American film from 1949, which takes place during the French Revolution and the reign of terror under Maximilien Robespierre describes. The film combines the genre of the period film with stylistic elements of film noir .

action

Although he is already the most powerful man in France, Maximilien Robespierre wants to achieve dictatorial power. He tries to convince Barras of his idea, since Barras is the only one who can nominate him to the national convention. Barras refuses and goes underground.

Meanwhile, Charles D'Aubigny kills the bloodthirsty prosecutor Duval from Strasbourg and slips into his role. Compared to Robespierre and Joseph Fouché , D'Aubigny can play this role successfully, as neither of them have ever seen him personally. Robespierre tells Duval that his black book has been stolen. All enemies who are still to be executed are noted in this. Robespierre fears that his enemies could band together if they found out that they were in the book too. D'Aubigny should get the book back.

D'Aubigny meets Barras through his contact Madelon, whom he once loved. The police, led by Saint-Just, discover Barras and arrest him. D'Aubigny is not suspected and visits Barras in prison. In D'Aubigny the suspicion is strengthened that Robespierre did not really lose his book. Saint-Just is suspicious of “Duval” and tries to find out D'Aubigny's real identity. D'Aubigny is only not convicted through a ruse by Madelon.

Fouché plays a double game, on the one hand he is ready to betray Robespierre, on the other hand he tries to murder D'Aubigny, which he can prevent. Fouché arrests Madelon and has her tortured. He offers D'Aubigny to exchange it for the book.

D'Aubigny lets the book pass around in the convent, the angry convention initially opposes Robespierre. When he managed to change the crowd, however, a follower of Fouché shot him in the jaw, so that he could no longer speak. Fouché succeeds in turning the situation back to Robespierre's disadvantage. He has this brought to the guillotine and executed.

D'Aubigny searches Robespierre's office, finds a secret room and frees Madelon. Fouché meets a young officer in the crowd and asks him his name. When he replies: “Bonaparte. Napoleon Bonaparte ”, Fouché promises him that he will remember his name.