The best way to describe _Eyes without a Face_ is a classic Universal monster movie, by way of Hitchcock. Think _Frankenstein_, and The Phantom of the Opera_ if Doctor Frankenstein were trying to fix the Phantom's face.
What are the highlights? Christiane is at the top of the list. She's really what makes the film work. In her mask, and elegant attire, she looks like the ghost of a porcelain doll. We needed more time with her, period.
Doctor Genessier is the other standout. A role that could have been played over the top, in either direction, he attacks the role as cold, and collected. He's a classic mad scientist, but the madness is so far under the surface, you'd never know.
Every other part of the movie is mediocre or bad.
What did I not like? The main piece of music was horrible. Every time it would play, I felt like I was at a circus or in the middle of a comedy. This was 1960, there was already a rich history of what music works in horror, and what doesn't.
Next, any time spent with the detectives was a waste. They didn't do anything, and I am not watching a mystery, this is a horror movie.
There were moments I really liked in this, but not enough to outweigh the rest: so much of this film could have been cut and it would have been a great improvement.
For anyone who is a fan of classic black-and-white cinema, watch it; I get it, _The Bride of Frankenstein_ isn't flawless, but it's still a must watch. Same here.