Le Serment (The Pledge) was a minor "entertainment" from legendary French filmmaker Abel Gance -- so minor that it seldom shows up in the list of his films. A remake of Gance's silent film Mater Dolorosa (its original release title), the story concerns Marthe Berleac (Line Noro) the neglected wife of a celebrated doctor (Jean Gilland). Embarking upon an affair with her husband's brother Claude (Samson Fainsilber), Marthe is wracked by guilt and contemplates suicide. In trying to prevent this, Claude is accidentally killed himself, but before he dies he manages to write a suicide note absolving Marthe of all blame. Dr. Berleac isn't satisfied with Claude's note, especially after finding a compromising letter from Marthe. The drama intensifies when Berleac demands proof that the couple's son is legitimate, but eventually it is the repentant husband who begs Marthe's forgiveness.
by Hal Erickson
synopsis
