The story told by Andre Cayatt in his film “The Infamy and Vengeance of Mr. Roger”, based on the novel by Jules Mary, is a symbiosis of two great works of the mid-nineteenth century – “The Count of Monte Cristo” and “Les Miserables” (which, in turn, also have much in common). With the novel of Dumas, Mr. Roger, the accusation of a crime he did not commit is related, and the desire to take revenge on the perpetrators of this accusation, and from the hero Hugo, Mr. Roger received fatherly care for a little girl and mercy, which was completely deprived of the cold-blooded and determined Count of Monte Cristo.
But at the same time, the story of Mr. Roger is clearly inferior to the above works, it lacks depth, originality, rebirths of the main character. What is happening is too diluted with a romantic story that would more suit the love novels of the century before last.
All this, however, does not prevent you from calling “The Disgrace and Vengeance of Mr. Roger” a well-made adaptation of a fascinating and entertaining novel-drama that the French succeed in fame, so this film can be safely recommended to fans of old French cinema and lovers of beautiful stories and worthy acting.
The most remarkable and worthy of attention in this work of Andre Cayata is the key episode with the erroneous accusation of murder and the innocent conviction of the main character - the detective story of this part of the film reveals the great potential of its creator. A director who has previously worked as a court lawyer is familiar with miscarriages of justice and the price behind these mistakes. It is not surprising that in the future, Kayat will shoot his best paintings, turning to the topic of justice.
8 out of 10