The Butcher
“An outstanding new film by one of France's leading directors.”
An unlikely friendship between a dour, working class butcher and a repressed schoolteacher coincides with a grisly series of Ripper-type murders in a provincial French town.
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Cast
8 people
Stéphane Audran
Hélène Davile, aka 'Mlle Hélène'
Known for
Babette's Feast
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie
Jean Yanne
Paul Thomas, aka 'Popaul'
Known for
Brotherhood of the Wolf
Weekend
Roger Rudel
Commissioner Grumbach
Known for
La Classe américaine
Antonio Passalia
Angelo
Also in
The Road to Corinth
The Blue Panther
Mario Beccara
Léon Hamel
No other roles listed
William Guérault
Charles
No other roles listed
Pascal Ferone
Father Charpy
No other roles listed
Dominique Zardi
Angelo (chant)
Claude Chabrol Director · Pierre Jansen Composer Jean Rabier Cinematographer
United States release December 19, 1971 · Produced in France, Italy · Production Euro International Films, Euro-International Film
Production
Les Films La Boétie
Production
Euro International Films
Production
Euro-International Film
Production
Les Films de la Boétie
Production
France · Italy
Produced in
Languages
Original title
Le Boucher
Original language
French
Spoken on screen
French
Release dates
France · February 27, 1970
Theatrical
United States · December 19, 1971
Theatrical
United States
September 12, 1970 · Premiere · New York Film Festival
Denmark
December 17, 1970 · Theatrical
Finland
March 26, 1971 · Theatrical
France
May 9, 1996 · TV · France 2 (La France en films)
January 15, 2026 · Digital · Arte•tv
July 6, 2026 · TV · Arte, 2025 restoration
Germany
January 5, 1971 · TV
January 15, 2026 · Digital · Arte•tv
July 6, 2026 · TV · Arte, 2025 restoration
Greece
November 21, 1970 · Theatrical
Italy
September 8, 1970 · Theatrical
Latvia
October 25, 2026 · Premiere · Riga International Film Festival
Netherlands
May 27, 1971 · Theatrical
Portugal
January 22, 1971 · Theatrical
Spain
July 12, 1971 · Theatrical
Sweden
October 30, 1970 · Theatrical
Taiwan
December 20, 2025 · Premiere · Transcendent Journey Film Festival
United Kingdom
May 12, 1972 · Theatrical
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Some details come from TheTVDB.