Vidocq

This morning I've been watching Vidocq, a 2001 movie starring Gerard Depardieu. The movie is quite fantastic with exciting visual effects. It was the first movie filmed on digital media from start to end. Overall the movie is maybe a bit too heavy on special-effects, but it depicts a magical fabulous story in an absoribng way, about a monster called the 'Alchemist' who steals souls from virgin girls to keep his eternal youth. Vidocq is a detective working for the french police in the help to unmask the alchemist.

Vidocq's complete name was Eugène François Vidocq and was a french criminal with an amazing life, who became a detective for the french police. Amongst many of his stunning chapters throughout his life, he managed to escape prison endless times, survived 15 duels, and he also gained amnesty from the french police when he was challenged to escape from the guards and present himself to the inspector as a sign of honesty.

Life and miracles of Vidocq probably inspired Victor Hugo as well on his novel 'Les Miserables'.