The Dogs (1979)
A chilling French thriller in which a young doctor battles rising canine violence — and something far darker lurking beneath the surface of a modern city.
The Dogs - Movie Information
- Original Title: Les Chiens
- Release Year: 1979
- Directed by: Alain Jessua
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Thriller, Drama
- Runtime: 1h 40m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: French
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 7, 1979 (France - U)
- Production Companies: A.J. Films, A.M.S. Productions, Les Films de la Drouette
- Production Countries: France
The Dogs - Plot
After several inhabitants of a new city were bitten by dogs, a young doctor tries to put a stop to the climb of violence.
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The Dogs - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Alain Jessua
Main Cast
- Gérard Depardieu
- Victor Lanoux
- Nicole Calfan
- Pierre Vernier
- Fanny Ardant
- Philippe Klébert
- Régis Porte
- Gérard Séty
- Philippe Mareuil
- Henri Labussière
Writers
- Alain Jessua
- André Ruellan
Producers
- Laurent Meyniel
The Dogs - FAQs
What is The Dogs about?
The Dogs follows a young doctor who becomes alarmed when residents of a newly built French city begin suffering vicious dog attacks. As the violence escalates, he uncovers a disturbing connection between the animals and the community's growing appetite for fear and authoritarian control.
Is The Dogs a political allegory?
Absolutely. Beneath its thriller surface, the film uses the dogs as a metaphor for fascism and social conformity. Director Alain Jessua crafts a chilling portrait of how ordinary citizens can embrace violence and submission to authority, making it one of French cinema's sharpest political fables of the late 1970s.
Where can you watch The Dogs?
You can watch The Dogs on Hoopla for free, or rent and buy it on Google Play Movies and YouTube. It's a relatively accessible title for a 1979 French film, so tracking it down is easier than you might expect.
Who are the main actors in The Dogs?
The film features a remarkable cast led by Victor Lanoux as Dr. Henry Ferret and Gérard Depardieu as the menacing Morel. Nicole Calfan and Pierre Vernier round out the key roles, and eagle-eyed viewers will spot a very early appearance from Fanny Ardant in one of her first screen roles.
Is The Dogs worth watching for thriller fans?
If you enjoy slow-burn thrillers with something to say, The Dogs is well worth your time. Alain Jessua builds dread methodically, and the film's social commentary gives it a weight that goes well beyond a standard creature feature. It's an underrated gem of late-1970s European cinema.
Who directed The Dogs and what else did he make?
Alain Jessua directed The Dogs. A distinctive voice in French cinema, Jessua was known for films that blend genre thrills with sharp social critique, including Traitement de choc (1973) and Armaguedon (1977). The Dogs stands as one of his most politically charged and enduring works.
Was Fanny Ardant's role in The Dogs significant?
Fanny Ardant appears in a small supporting role as a nurse — one of her earliest film appearances before she became a major star through her collaborations with François Truffaut. It's a fascinating footnote for fans who want to trace the beginnings of one of France's most celebrated actresses.
Where was The Dogs filmed?
The Dogs was filmed in France, with its setting in a sterile, newly constructed suburban city playing a central role in the film's atmosphere. The cold, anonymous architecture of the location reinforces the story's themes of alienation, conformity, and the unsettling fragility of modern social order.
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