Comedy Cult Classic

Chabrol steers Jean-Paul Belmondo through seduction, scheming, and a darkly comic marital maze.

DOCTEUR POPAUL

1972 · 01:35:00 · NR · Comedy

Dr Paul Simay is a lady’s man who claims to prefer ugly women. He makes his point by winning a bet that he can sleep with the most ugly women in a year. He therefore has no qualms about marrying Christine, a paraplegic with buck-teeth, especially when her father is a wealthy doctor who can advance his career. His views change when he meets Christine’s beautiful sister, Martine. When she realises that Paul has been cheating on her and has given her sister a child, Christine decides to extract a cruel revenge…

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Quick Answer

What is Docteur Popaul about?

Docteur Popaul is a 1972 French comedy film directed by Claude Chabrol about a womanizing doctor whose taste for 'moral beauty' leads him into a web of seduction, marriage, and revenge.

Key Facts

Director: Claude Chabrol
Writers: Paul Gégauff, Hubert Monteilhet
Release: 1972
Runtime: 1h 35m
Genres: Comedy
Also Known As: Dr. Popaul, Scoundrel in White, Trappola per un lupo, Доктор Пополь, Claude Chabrol's High Heels, High Heels

The SassyFlix Take

Claude Chabrol trades his murder-mystery magnifying glass for a scalpel and a wink, letting Jean-Paul Belmondo loose as a doctor who thinks ugly is the new sexy—until marital revenge gives him a taste of dark medicine. French sex comedy never looked quite so mercenary or mean-spirited.

From the Vault

Proof that even doctors should read the fine print before saying 'I do.'

Why Cult

Chabrol Dark Comedy

Claude Chabrol swaps his usual suspense for biting satire, lampooning machismo and marital gamesmanship with a sly touch.

Belmondo Against Type

Jean-Paul Belmondo trades heroics for sleaze as the shameless Dr. Simay, navigating a tangle of lust, lies, and comeuppance.

French Sex Comedy Twist

Expect more than leering laughs: this 'French Sex Comedy' twists seduction into a darkly comic morality play of betrayal and vengeance.

Revenge Served Cold

What starts as a bet ends with a cruel payback, as Christine turns the tables on her philandering husband.

About This Film

Doctor Popaul doesn't trust beautiful women: he says he prefers "moral beauty". Among colleagues he makes a bet who manages to sleep with the most ugly woman during the next year - and wins. Shortly after he meets the plain Christine on vacation in Tunesia. She leaves him after their first night, but by chance they meet again in Bordeaux. He learns that her father is a wealthy doctor who's very pleased to meet him and encourages him to become his son in law. Just on the wedding Popaul meets Christine's beautiful sister, who has the bad fortune to always marry the dumbest guy around. But Popaul knows how to help her out...

Film Details

Director Claude Chabrol

Writers Paul Gégauff, Hubert Monteilhet

Themes & Keywords

Female Nudity Female Rear Nudity Nudity Revenge Voyeur Doctor Based On Novel Sex Comedy Character Name In Title Seduction Nightmare 1970s Nurse Cigar Smoking Car Accident Brothel

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Docteur Popaul about? +

Docteur Popaul follows Dr. Paul Simay, a womanizer who marries for ambition but finds himself caught in a darkly comic web of seduction, betrayal, and revenge.

When was Docteur Popaul released? +

Docteur Popaul was released in 1972.

Who directed Docteur Popaul? +

Docteur Popaul was directed by Claude Chabrol.

How long is Docteur Popaul? +

Docteur Popaul has a runtime of 95 minutes.

What genre is Docteur Popaul? +

Docteur Popaul is a comedy.

Where can I watch Docteur Popaul? +

Docteur Popaul is available to stream on SassyFlix.