User Reviews

Evocatively directed and slickly photographed psychological mystery thriller with an exceptional lead performance by a sombre Donald Sutherland, and potent support roles from Donald Pleasence and David Hemming. The material decides to keep it all glum, and moves from the investigation period into the back-story of the victim. The seldom, and quite sullen nature of investigation pulled me in, but when it flashback to the victim's side showing her final days weren't as compelling, and became somewhat stodgy and stock-like. While the script is strongly detailed and to a certain degree complex in stringing us along, however the final and surprising revelation should have been more bone-jarring and it's not helped out by its sloppy execution. Howard Blake's music score has an emotional sting to its cues that simply linger, and director Claude Chabrol's capable handling (well for most part) has a strong stylistic and tight manner, which gets the best out of moody locations and flexible cast. The young faces Lisa Langlois and Aude Landry do an incredibly good job as well.

A relatively interesting little mystery murder, the film is okay viewing despite some sections being dull and not lively. It is, however, surprisingly acted mundanely despite some great names in the cast, but the film does have enough going for it as it is. The music score used in the English version (the dubbed French version has a completely different soundtrack) is great, bouncy in bits and almost always adding to the action. Chabrol also sets up some great shots, and there are a few chilling moments to be had along the way. It is overall nothing too special of its type, but of its type, it is certainly a solid entry.

Donald Sutherland was one of the most interesting and intelligent actors of the 1970s with impressive roles in movie such as 'Klute', 'Steelyard Blues', 'The Day Of The Locust', 'Don't Look Now' and '1900'. But for some reason 'Blood Relatives' has disappeared into obscurity, despite being directed by acclaimed French New Wave figure Claude Chabrol, and featuring yet another fine Sutherland performance. Why this movie has been all but forgotten is difficult to explain. I really have no idea. But as I could EASILY list 100 other unfairly neglected movies off the top of my head it doesn't really surprise me. Anyway, this is a very well made mystery thriller which kept me fascinated throughout. Sutherland is great, the three young leads (who include Lisa Langlois later of trash classic 'Class Of 1984'!) are all very good, plus we get the wonderful David Hemmings ('Blowup'/'Barbarella'/'Profondo Rosso'), and a brilliant cameo from Donald Pleasence ('THX 1138'/'Halloween') as a creepy paedophile. 'Blood Relatives' is recommended to mystery buffs and Sutherland fans.

This is an unusual foray in the English language for Chabrol (albeit set in Canada, where French is extensively spoken) but a most typical mystery for him (based on a novel by popular American pulp writer Ed McBain) and, in retrospect, an underrated (if unassuming) work.

The director also managed to rope in a good cast, led by Donald Sutherland (a genuine Canadian, playing a character not too far removed from his star-making turn in KLUTE [1971]), as well as David Hemmings and Donald Pleasence (quietly impressive in the role of a paedophile) to act as red herrings. However, the best performances come from the two young female protagonists (who were ostensibly assaulted one night at the film's very start) and especially the sole survivor, whose version of events keeps changing throughout the film, as Sutherland – and the audience – gradually begins to put the pieces together with every new disclosed fact. On the other hand, Chabrol's own wife – Stephane Audran – is saddled with a thankless mother role.

Though the ultimate revelation is hardly overwhelmingly original, the incestuous connotations are provocative enough to make the journey there a fairly powerful one. The copy I acquired (which seems to be slightly trimmed – running 91 minutes against the official 100) was full-frame and excessively soft, but certainly serviceable for such a rare item. Interestingly, the French edition of this title contains an alternate score by Chabrol regular Pierre Jansen to the one provided here by Howard Blake.

Considered by many to be a strangely overlooked Chabrol it seems to me the reason it has been cold shouldered is its sleaze factor. Not as overtly sexy, violent or gory as many films of this period it nevertheless starts rather startlingly and although becoming more measured continues to ooze a rather unpleasant odour. Ms Audran, not here the ice maiden but a drunken mother, Donald Pleasence does a cameo as a child molester, David Hemmings has his eyes on underage sex and the central theme involves the relationship between a brother, sister and niece. No not very nice at all and Chabrol treats it all as if it is very normal (like it might be in some small French village!) instead of Ed McBain's New York City. Had this been treated in a more sensational manner then it would have been a more acceptable but lesser film. Here we really have to choose between the likelihood of various unpleasant options before the final denouement. Very watchable

One of Claude Chabrol's most underrated movies, "Blood Relatives" begins as a police procedural, with interrogations, police line-ups, red herrings, etc., but gradually transforms into a psychological family drama, with long flashbacks that take up nearly the entire second half; the ultimate solution of the murder is guessable for fans of the genre, but remains chilling to see unfold on the screen. Aude Landry (why did she have to quit acting so early? She shows huge potential here) and Lisa Langlois give haunting performances, and Donald Sutherland is effectively introspective as the inspector who, much like Hercule Poirot, tries to understand the psychology of the crime in order to get to the truth. The Montreal setting is refreshingly different and just right for this moody, understated film; it stays in your memory. *** out of 4.

Claude Chabrol shooting a movie under the premises of a Marlowe's story. More American than French. Donald Sutherland claiming to be considered one of the best actors of the 70's. The movie begins with a very very frightened teenager girl going into a police station. She tells about a murder: her cousin. Sutherland, the inspector, try to solve the case by asking some usual suspects and, eventually, reading the personal diary of the dead girl where he finds the clue to get to know who's the killer. In the middle of the movie, the story turns to be more about the relationship between the murdered girl and his cousin: the brother of the accusing young girl. Finally, we can see a surprising end. Good movie just to watch once, not more. It's not strong enough because the script is not very solid. It deserves to be watched because of a Donald Sutherland in his best and a little character supported by Donald Pleasance, doing quite well.

I honestly can't believe that this film isn't more highly rated. Claude Chabrol could be described as something like a French Alfred Hitchcock, and while this film is only the second one of his that I've seen (the first being Le Boucher), I can already see that this guy is something special just on the strength of these two films. The film is a French and Canadian co-production, and takes place in Canada. The cast is made up of British and Canadian stars and the high quality performances bode well with the rest of the film; most of which is high quality also. The film is a murder mystery and begins when a young girl covered in blood is brought into a police station. After being questioned by Inspector Carella, it emerges that the young girl, Patricia, and her sister Muriel were attacked by a man who killed the sister and only just allowed Patricia to flee. However, as the investigation goes on, Patricia goes back to the station to give new evidence, which reveals a far more shocking identity to the murderer.

The performances in this film are excellent. Donald Sutherland is subdued as usual, but he suits the role he's given here very well and I wouldn't hesitate to name his performance in Blood Relatives as one of his very best. The film also features supporting turns from British stars Donald Pleasance and David Hemmings who both give good turns; Pleasance in particular who shows just how great an actor he can be and highlights what a shame it is that he went on to waste himself in Halloween films. The unknown Aude Landry also gives a great performance in her role as Patricia. The movie is very mysterious for the first hour and really keeps the audience hooked. When Inspector Carella discovers Muriel's diary, the film turns into more of a drama in which the girl's last actions are shown; and while this section of the film is not as good as what went before it, it's still interesting and leads into a great twist at the end! Overall, Blood Relatives is a great film that really deserves to be better seen. Le Boucher is a better known effort from Chabrol, but for my money this is at least as good! Highly recommended viewing.

When a 17 year old girl is murdered in the streets of Montreal, the case is taken on by detective Steve Carella (played by Donald Sutherland).

The only witness to this horrific crime is the girls younger cousin, who was also viciously attacked, but managed to escape with her life.

The cops pick up a number of sex offenders, hoping they will snatch up the culprit in the process.

But they are back to square one, when the girl is unable to identify any of them.

Eventually, she fingers her own brother...saying that he forced them both to perform sexual acts on him, before stabbing her cousin to death, and attempting to kill her.

But he denies it.

From here, the film goes into a series of flashbacks, as the detective goes through the victims diary, in hope of finding a secret that may lead to the identity of the killer.

Turns out that she was having an illicit affair with her cousin- the boy who has been fingered as the murderer.

But she was also being wooed by her boss...who claims he barely knew her.

The fact her cousin turns increasingly jealous and violent, drives her into the arms of her boss, who is married with children.

He encourages her to leave her cousin, and find her own place to live.

Eventually the diary reveals enough information, that the detective is able to put two and two together...and solve the mystery.

This is meant to be a twist, but it's much too predictable.

That aside, it's a pretty engaging film, but the fact that it is so easy to solve, from such an early point detracts a lot from the whodunnit aspect of it all.

The acting from Sutherland and the three kids is pretty good though.

It's construction in two acts, with the first half introducing the players and investigation, and second half portraying the back story- leading up to the conclusion- works on an entertainment level, but leaves you wanting more on the cinematic front.

In the end, it's entertaining enough, but not overly complex.

Which may speak to different people differently, but for me personally...it was just too simplistic.

But it's certainly worth a watch.

6 out of 10.

Casual misogyny as one expects from the 70s and this director, but the script is just not that good to begin with and declines even more after the middle of the film.

The production is so bad that you can even see a microphone dipping down in the second last dialogue between Donald Sutherland and Aude Landry characters.

Detective Donald Sutherland investigates the brutal murder of young girl. Her young cousin had escaped, badly injured and describes the killer to Sutherland. She later recants and says the killer is closer to home.

Solid thriller based on an Ed McBain book and directed by French directing heavyweight Claude Chabrol. It follows a fairly linear but enjoyable course with various twists, turns and suspects with Sutherland convincing as the detective in charge. It's downside is that a large chunk of the film features a flashback when the victim's diary is found. This is performed by French actors badly dubbed into English and / or not brilliantly acted - which does spoil things a bit. Worth a look though if you can cope with the cranky dubbing and indeed sound generally.

When Patricia Newell is attacked after witnessing her cousin's murder,Detective Carrella searches the city for her killer.Identifying the murderer after an intensive manhunt,Patricia is sent to live with relatives in the country.For Carrella the case is closed...or is it?"Blood Relatives" is an overlooked masterpiece.Donald Sutherland plays a cop and it's nice to see Donald Pleasance in a small role as a child molester.The conclusion is pretty disturbing.Still "Blood Relatives" is more of a mystery than a horror film,so fans of gore will be disappointed.A must-see for fans of old-fashioned mystery movies.9 out of 10.

This oppressively creepy, sinisterly slashing, bone-fizzingly grim, Canadian-set murder mystery remains a darkly fascinating delight, so be sure to check it out if you dare to descend deep into the diabolically degenerated mind of one especially deviant killer!!! And nae bad it is too! (Personally, I'm rarely bored by murder maestro Claude!) Alongside the uber-talented character actor Donald Sutherland it also stars terror icon Donald Pleasence, sublimely gifted Gallic dream Stéphane Audran, and Deep Red's stilleto cool David Hemmings! Based on a popular crime novel by Ed McBain, Claude Chabrol's finely wrought, consistently engaging, impressively acted thriller is regarded by many cult film fans to be one of the very best McBain adaptations!

In Montreal, the fifteen year-old Patricia Lowery (Aude Landry) and her seventeen year-old Muriel Stark (Lisa Langlois) are running in a rainy night seeking for shelter and out of the blue Muriel screams in an alley. Patricia runs to a precinct covered with blood and the police officers take care of her. Detective Steve Carella (Donald Sutherland), who is investigating the murder case of Muriel, comes to the police station and interviews Patricia. She tells that her cousin and she had gone to a party, and a man attacked them in the alley forcing Muriel to have oral sex with him before killing her. The police force seeks out sex offenders with the description provided by Patricia, but she fails in the lineup. When Det. Carella finds Muriel's journal, he learns that the teenager logged every movement she takes in her diary and he raises suspicion in Patricia's statement.

"Les liens de sang', a.k.a. "Blood Relatives", is another magnificent thriller by Claude Chabrol, the master of the suspense. The screenplay is excellent and discloses the adolescence of the orphan Muriel Stark that was raised in the family of her uncle and had a crush on her cousin. Along the story, there are at least two suspects. The conclusion is slightly open, when Patricia tells that "a brother should love more his sister than his cousin". My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Laços de Sangue" ("Blood Ties")