Henri-George Clouzot's dark and subversive study of human nature stars Pierre Fresnay and Ginette Leclerc. A wave of hysteria sweeps the small provincial town of St Robin when a series of poison-pen letters signed 'Le Corbeau' (The Raven) appear denouncing several prominent members of society. Starting with the village doctor, the slow sinister trickle of letters soon becomes a flood and no one is safe from the malicious accusations, which include abortion and drug addiction. Beneath the town's respectful and calm surface lurks a darker side in which everyone is a suspect. With the townspeople afraid to accuse each other for fear of being accused, suspicion and hatred reach epidemic levels.