The fist scene consists of an establishing shot showing the game-keeper saying good bye to his wife and two sons in front of his house.
Once he has left, the older boy, who was forbidden by his father to follow him, leaves nevertheless behind him after making his little brother promise not to betray him.
Filmed in the rocky landscape of the Fontainebleau forest, it ends tragically when one of the poachers precipitates the game-keeper into a ravine.
[1] Regarding the cinematography of this film, Alison McMahan notes that "The deep-focus (...) is characteristic of Guy's visual aesthetic, also apparent in La Passion."
"[4] Joan Simon considers that "in treating the archetypal French conflict between gamekeepers and poachers, [Guy] sides with authority and not rebellion."
[5] One is left to wonder whether the young boy is really siding with authority when killing the murderer rather than letting the police arrest him.