Etienne Périer was a poor man's Clouzot,a two -bit Chabrol (Chabrol had a small part in his "Un Meurtre est un Meurtre" (1972))."Meutre en 45 tours"(1960) was a failed attempt to capitalize on the success of "Les Diaboliques" ."Un Si Joli Village" is arguably his best film.Inspired by a widely talked about criminal affair (Bruay-en Artois),Périer managed to sustain the interest throughout the whole movie.Stephane (Victor Lanoux) is the mayor of a small village ;he is also the manager of the tannery which provides the inhabitants with work.In a fit of anger ,he kills his wife (Edith Scob).A judge (Jean Carmet) tries to prove his culpability ,but it's not an easy task ,because there is a political and social pressure.Périer dutifully stepped into André Cayatte's shoes,but his work is worthwhile.