I listened to the shorter version and even then i felt it was 50% too long!Eye of the beholder created tension,a mood,deeper and more appealing characters(except for the killing of the blind man which was repulsive in both versions).I totally disagree with those who say that Ewan McGregor was too young for the part in the remake.It's not a question or older or younger,it's a question of how good the film is putted together.The remake was thrilling in so many ways that this film isn't.Usually music is used to create tension.Here the main theme(which is reused more than once) sounds like it was made for a Pierre Richard comedy.There's no real sense that the director made an effort to create tension or excitement. The only thing that got me excited for a whole two seconds was when serrault suggests to adjani that she takes a shower.(She doesn't).I have no idea why this film is praised as a classic or got so much nominations. Stick to the remake and avoid the original.

Behind his front of overflowing bitterness and cynicism, private eye Louis Beauvoir (Serrault), nicknamed L'Oeil, is deeply missing of a child to protect and cheer, while he is tracking down a serial killer, Catherine Leiris (The iris)(Adjani).The followed young woman will be just half-real, she'll be rather like the private eye dreams her.Like a picture of innocence in his memory, she should stay untouched and untouchable, so he will involve himself in her flight. Through his eyes and ears, she is a mythomaniac orphan, she has misbehaved, she considers herself as garbage, but she wants fondness, getting a substitutive father's attention by murdering men and women who get too close to her.The dream can last as long as the soliloquizing self-designated father can stay in tune with his substitute daughter, despite awakening bodies on their road, every bodies that did not have sleepwalker's stare and beat. We, as viewers, wish the great encounter and the forgiveness. We dream. We are willing to roam.A long time after we are supposed to be awake and down to earth, we are still humming the main musical theme, or La Paloma, or Schubert's lieder, who all played in the movie.Mortelle randonnée is an ambiguous and dark fairy tale for adults, sprinkled with bridges and winks. After many viewing, there is still to explore and enjoy in Mortelle randonnée, at least in the version I saw (118 min.).Mortelle randonnée is only a movie, not somebody. A movie does not think it is good. Only people can think Mortelle randonnée is good, or think it is not. It is a matter of taste. Critics who attribute thoughts or claims to movies, instead of ascribing them to film-makers or critics, should perhaps visit a psychiatrist.

Dark, cruel, even disgusting for moments -and the ending will crush your heart, no matter how hardened it is.Isabelle Adjani is just too sexy for words.Just watch it. It's worth it.

One of the best movies ever. Very dark, very deadpan, perfect acting. Great script, too.The La Paloma version in the blind man's villa is by Hans Albers.