Movie

The Man Who Laughs

1966 · 97 min

A brooding, old-fashioned swashbuckler with a tragic romantic streak, moving through courtly intrigue toward a bleak, fatalistic end.

Tagline: If you liked "Scaramouche" you'll love "The Man Who Laughs"
Overview: This loose adaptation of the Victor Hugo classic shifts the story to Italy and back in time, with the deformed protagonist meeting Lucrezia Borgia instead of Queen Anne. Also, Gwynplaine is renamed Angelo (Jean Sorel) with his disfigurement represented by a single broad slash across his mouth, crude yet convincing. The story (not credited to Hugo) is a swashbuckler pitting the disfigured acrobat against the henchmen of the Borgias.
How it feels: Dark, melancholic, romantic and campy. Measured and easy to follow.
About: Betrayal, obsession, identity, power
Content: Mild violence, gore and sexual content. No swearing.
Note: Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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Written by AI. It can be wrong.

Full breakdown

Tone: darkstrength 2 of 3
melancholicstrength 2 of 3
romanticstrength 2 of 3
campystrength 1 of 3
Pacing: measured, 2 of 4, from slow-burn to relentless
Attention: easy-watch, 2 of 4, from background-friendly to demanding
Themes: betrayal
obsession
identity
power
love
Places: countryside
big city
Era: period
Audience: adult
Form: None
Content intensity: Gore mild
Language none
Violence mild
Sex mild