Vidocq (2001 film)

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Vidocq
Directed by	Pitof
Produced by	Dominique Farrugia
Starring	Gérard Depardieu Guillaume Canet
Music by	Bruno Coulais
Editing by	Thierry Hoss
Release date(s)	September 19, 2001 January 2, 2007
Running time	100 min.
Country	France
Language	French
Budget	FRF 152,000,000 (estimated)
IMDb profile

Vidocq is a 2001 movie, directed by Pitof, that pits the historical figure Eugène François Vidocq (played by Gérard Depardieu) against a supernatural soul-stealing monster called The Alchemist. It is notable as being the first major science fiction film to be shot entirely on digital film.

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

In 19th century Paris, the famed detective Vidocq disappears while pursuing a murderer called the Alchemist.

Etienne Boisset, a young biographer of Vidocq's, follows in his footsteps and progressively uncovers Vidocq's investigations. He learns how Vidocq was called in to investigate a series of assassinations by lightning, and that the Alchemist is a wizard of sorts that wears a mirrored mask and kills virgins to maintain eternal youth. Even the sex of the Alchemist is a mystery, because it sometimes utters mocking feminine sighs during combat with Vidocq. Etienne probes deeper into Vidocq's investigations and eventually comes to learn that the Alchemist uses virgin blood to make more magical mirrors that consume human souls.

At last, Etienne comes to the end of his trail and discovers Vidocq alive and in hiding. Etienne dons a mirrored mask and reveals himself to be the Alchemist. Vidocq has known all along, however, and is ready to fight his nemesis. During their final confrontation, Vidocq kills the Alchemist, but at the end of the movie it is suggested that the Alchemist still lives.