Coup de torchon

In the small town of French West Africa in 1938, Police Chief Lucien Cordier is a hopeless case, scorned by everyone around him, including his alluring but openly adulterous wife Huguette and her lover Nono. After being pushed over the edge by deceitful pimps, Cordier consults his superior Chavasson, who advises him to take decisive action, prompting him to confront and kill those who have made his life miserable, including Rose's abusive husband and local timber company head Vanderbrouck. As Cordier's killing spree continues, he becomes a cold-blooded avenger, but ultimately finds himself alone with the new French teacher Anne, until his own dark secret is revealed, leading to a violent confrontation that leaves him without anyone in his life.