La Mandragore

In a remote, isolated village, a mysterious epidemic begins to spread, causing the inhabitants to lose their memories. As the villagers forget their pasts and their identities, chaos and confusion ensue. A few individuals desperately try to cling to their sanity and uncover the cause of the strange affliction before they too succumb.

The film received a mixed to negative reception upon its release. While some critics acknowledged its ambitious premise and the performances of its lead actors, many found the execution to be uneven and the narrative ultimately confusing. Audience reception was similarly lukewarm, with the film failing to achieve significant commercial success or widespread acclaim.

• Praised for its unique and intriguing concept of memory loss.
• Criticized for a muddled plot and an unsatisfying resolution.
• Noted for the strong presence of its lead actors, despite the film's flaws.

Google audience: Google user reviews are scarce due to the film's limited release and age, making it difficult to ascertain a definitive summary of audience opinions. Those available suggest a polarized reaction, with some viewers appreciating the thought-provoking themes while others found it overly slow or perplexing.

The film's ambiguous ending and exploration of memory loss were considered quite avant-garde for French cinema in the early 1970s, though it didn't translate into widespread critical endorsement.