The Puritan Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?
Complete breakdown of the climax, final twists, and spoilers for The Puritan.
The Puritan Ending Explained: A religious fanatic finds his entire life and philosophy turned upside-down as he falls in love with a girl and kills her in a jealous rage. Directed by Jeff Musso, this 1938 drama film stars Pierre Fresnay (Le commissaire Lavan), alongside Jean-Louis Barrault as Francis Ferriter, Viviane Romance as Molly, Louis-Jacques Boucot as Monsieur Kelly. With a 6/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of The Puritan?
A religious fanatic finds his entire life and philosophy turned upside-down as he falls in love with a girl and kills her in a jealous rage. His search is for peace of mind and a desire to justify the murder of the girl to himself. His mind becomes distraught as he gropes trying to rationalize his deed and his world falls apart around him. A police inspector patiently and tirelessly stays on Barrault's trail, without putting him under arrest, though convinced he is the murderer, and waiting for the moment when he feels Barrault will break under the strain of his own religious fanaticism.
Jeff Musso's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Pierre Fresnay (Le commissaire Lavan)'s journey. His search is for peace of mind and a desire to justify the murder of the girl to himself.
How Does Pierre Fresnay (Le commissaire Lavan)'s Story End?
- Pierre Fresnay: Pierre Fresnay's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Jean-Louis Barrault (Francis Ferriter): Jean-Louis Barrault's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Viviane Romance (Molly): Viviane Romance's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Puritan Mean?
The Puritan's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Pierre Fresnay may feel rushed. Jeff Musso's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.