The Puritan Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 18, 2026
Movie Overview: The Puritan
| Movie | The Puritan |
| Release Year | 1938 |
| Director | Jeff Musso |
| Genre | Drama |
| Runtime | 85 minutes (1h 25m) |
| Language | FR |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Puritan (1938) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Puritan are led by Pierre Fresnay . The supporting cast, including Jean-Louis Barrault and Viviane Romance , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While The Puritan does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Drama films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Puritan has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Puritan
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1938, The Puritan is a Drama film directed by Jeff Musso, written by Liam O'Flaherty. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Pierre Fresnay as Le commissaire Lavan.
Ending Explained: 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.
The Puritan Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is The Puritan Based on a True Story?
No, The Puritan is a work of fiction. While the drama film directed by Jeff Musso and starring Pierre Fresnay may incorporate realistic themes, the characters and plot are original creations.
Who Should Watch The Puritan?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Pierre Fresnay or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
At just 85 minutes, it's a quick watch.
Where to Watch The Puritan Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Gaumont Amazon ChannelThe Puritan Parents Guide & Age Rating
1938 AdvisoryWondering about The Puritan age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Puritan (1938) is 85 minutes (1h 25m). Directed by Jeff Musso, the film runs for 85 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.0/10, and global performance metrics, The Puritan is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1938 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Puritan worth watching?
The Puritan is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Puritan parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Puritan identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Puritan (1938)?
The runtime of The Puritan (1938) is 85 minutes (approximately 1h 25m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
