Reign of Terror / The Black Book (1949) - Anthony Mann - History - Political thriller

Reign of Terror (reissued as The Black Book) is a 1949 American historical thriller film directed by Anthony Mann from a screenplay by Aeneas MacKenzie and Philip Yordan, and starring Robert Cummings, Richard Basehart and Arlene Dahl. Set during the French Revolution, the film follows a plot to bring down Maximilien Robespierre and end his bloodthirsty Reign of Terror.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041796/

Plot
The most powerful man in France, Maximilien Robespierre, wants to become the nation's dictator. He summons François Barras, the only man who can nominate him before the National Convention. Barras refuses to do so and goes into hiding.

Meanwhile, patriot Charles D'Aubigny secretly kills and impersonates Duval, the prosecutor of Strasbourg, whom Robespierre summoned to Paris for unknown purposes (which Robespierre's enemies wish to ascertain). Neither Robespierre nor Fouché, the chief of his secret police, have met Duval before, so the substitution goes undetected. Robespierre informs D'Aubigny that his black book, containing the names of those he intends to denounce and have executed, has been stolen. Robespierre's numerous foes are kept in check by not knowing whether their names are on the list or not. If they were to learn for certain that they are on the list, they would band together against him. He gives D'Aubigny authority over everyone in France and 24 hours to retrieve the book.

Directed
Anthony Mann

Written
Aeneas MacKenzie
Philip Yordan

Produced
William Cameron Menzies

Starring
Robert Cummings
Arlene Dahl
Richard Basehart
Richard Hart
Arnold Moss
Norman Lloyd
Beulah Bondi

Cinematography
John Alton

Edited
Fred Allen

Music
Sol Kaplan

Production
Walter Wanger Productions
United Californian

Distributed
Eagle-Lion Films

Release date
October 15, 1949 (US)

Running time
89 minutes

Country
United States