The Mystery of the Rocks of Kador
directed in 1913 by Leonce Perret

Version restored in 1993 by
Pierre Phillippe with Beatrice Valbin

Inserts and title cards
by Eurocitel

This copy was projected
at 16 fps

Prologue

The Will of
the Marquis de Keranic

Miss, Sir, I will read to you
the will of your uncle and cousin

Jean-Marie, Marquis de Keranic

I bequeath all my worldly goods
to my young niece Suzanne de Lormel,

orphan, today aged 18 years.

Until her coming of age, the enjoyment
of my bequest will belong to

her guardian, my cousin, Fernand de Keranic
whom I choose to execute my will.

In the eventuality of
my young niece's demise,

my cousin Fernand de Keranic
will become my sole heir.

The same will apply
if she enters a convent,

or is struck by a major infirmity,
such as blindness or madness.

Written entirely in my own hand.

Part one
A Summer in Brittany

Suzanne now lives
with her guardian in Brittany.

But after a short while
her heart awakens.

And it is to her diary
she confides her amorous secrets.

Today I had the happiness
of seeing and hearing him.

This morning, in full Captain's uniform,
he galloped across the Dunes ford.

This evening at the hotel he played
an andante by Popper on his cello.

I have come here to be near you.

I love you with all my soul, Suzanne.

Tell me please, that I can hope.

If you love me you will excuse
this first letter

and you will allow me to write again.
Jean d'Erguy.

I am tired of waiting. Your marriage
to your cousin cannot be concluded.

If after a period of one month you
have failed to reimburse the F 200,000

that you have extorted from me
I will take you to court.

If I cannot be paid, I will at least
render society a service

by unmasking the rogue who hides
beneath the guise of a gentleman.

The time is propitious.

Fernand de Keranic leads his cousin
to visit the rocks of Kador.

Suzanne, I have a confession to make.

This is not your guardian
who speaks to you, it is...

Suzanne, will you be my wife?

I have come here to be near you.
I love you with all my soul, Suzanne.

Tell me please, that I can hope.

If you love me you will excuse
this first letter

and you will allow me to write again.
Jean d'Erguy.

Misfortune to him
if he crosses my path.

In the shadows of his office,
Fernand de Keranic listens to the voices

which infinitely repeat
the terms of the will:

"In the eventuality of
my young niece's demise..."

Come tomorrow afternoon
to the Rocks of Kador

I will be in the cave
where you will see a fire. Suzanne.

The following day.

Excuse me, Suzanne...

Forget my error
and let us remain friends.

Shooting seagulls near
the rocks of Kador.

In one hour, the tide will reach
the depths of the cave:

and the body of Suzanne will join

that of the man
to whom she had given her heart.

The sea carries away the boat,
plaything of the wind and the waves.

All through the night,
Suzanne, crazed,

yells helplessly in the face
of a raging sea.

In the morning,
fishermen discover the stranded boat.

The Public Attorney
investigates on site

aided by Fernand de Keranic.

Interrogation Captain d'Erquy
impossible condition desperate

The prosecutor enquires
into the condition

of the unfortunate
Suzanne de Lormel.

In the office of L'etang de Jeande.

Sir, At the end of my enquiry at Kador,
at the very locations of the drama,

I was able to visit Suzanne de Lormel,
god-daughter of the Count de Keranic.

I came to realise the young girl
presented undoubted symptoms of insanity

that the careful attentions of her
guardian have been unable to contradict.

It is therefore open to you to execute
the terms of the will to which the Count

drew your attention.
Public Attorney

Part Two
The Method of Professor Williams

Finally healed of his wounds,

Jean d'Erquy rests
in the town of Neuilly.

My dear Jean,

I am delighted to learn
you are in better health.

If only our dear Suzanne
could awaken from this nightmare!

Alas, it seems the poor child will be
far too long trapped in the darkness

that this mysterious drama
has plunged her.

But, if I can believe a recently
read scientific review,

it seems progress is possible
where all cure has been forbidden.

Professor Williams' studies
have given evidence of results.

Do you think he could study
our dear Suzanne's case?

My dear Sir,
let me stop you right away.

The case you submit is exemplary
in the quest for my method's research.

Communication from the Academy of Medicine
on the observations of Professor Williams

on the application of
cinematography to psychotherapy.

Well, we'll met at Kador, Professor.

Now, all that remains is to film
some scenes on the high seas!

Look, Suzanne...

She cries...
She is saved!

A short while later
at Jean d'Erquy's villa.

This andante so soft under your bow,
at the setting sun,

awakens in my heart echoes of the past.
Come to me. Suzanne.

This writing...
But, it's not the same!

Come tomorrow afternoon
to the Rocks of Kador

I will be in the cave
where you will see a fire. Suzanne.

Upstairs, close to Suzanne.

Do you remember having
written me these lines, darling?

Madame Dorlysse, please fetch me

some handwriting
of the Count de Keranic!

Jean d'Erquy is now resolved
to unmask the criminal.

The Count is attending a masked ball
given by the Baron de la Nemeur.

The town house of de la Nemeur.

The office of the Chief of Police.

Do you remember having written this?

Come tomorrow afternoon
to the Rocks of Kador

Epilogue.

Subtitles: Corvusalbus