This is the kind of film that terms like “nail-biter” and “edge of your seat” were created for. Directed and written by Henri-Georges Clouzot, the film crafts a deviant murder mystery, which puts guilt at the center of the tension. Rumor has it that Alfred Hitchcock missed out on buying the rights to the book this film was based on by mere hours. Cinema isn't missing out on another great film from the master of suspense, because Clouzot's work here rightfully earns him the title of France's Hitchcock.
Christina Delasalle (Véra Clouzot, THE WAGES OF FEAR) is married to Michel (Paul Meurisse), a cruel principal at a private boys’ school that is having an affair with the sexy teacher Nicole Horner (Simone Signoret, SHIP OF FOOLS). Christina knows about the affair and takes sympathy on Nicole when she turns up one morning with a black eye. Eventually, the women decide to murder Michel, ending in them dumping his body in the murky pool at the school. Who will find the body? When will it be found? What questions will be asked when Michel goes missing?
I’ll stop the plot description there, because the less you know about the film the better. Even the film contains a warning to not reveal the secrets of the film to those who have not seen it. Tension and complications build one on top of another. Christina and Nicole both become frazzled with the guilt and fear of the murder.
Clouzot creates tension amazingly in the film, using camera and staging to perfection. Like comedy, thrillers also need great timing and this film excels at it. Character combined with plot and enhanced by dark mood; make this one of the tensest thrillers I’ve ever seen. Clouzot brings use into the worn mental state of his characters. In doing so, you never know what is going to happen next or what is lurking behind the door… literally. Some complain about the films contrivances, but they only present themselves in retrospect and never take one out of the thrill of the narrative. And once the revelations arrive, the dark twists paint a macabre portrait of humanity.
I’ve seen this film on more than one “best horror” list, which is where it deserves to be. It’s haunting and scary with suspense that matches Hitchcock’s REAR WINDOW. Plus it deals with the darkest side of human nature — a staple of classic horror films. This is a classic for good reason; any serious film buff has to own it. I cannot recommend this film more highly.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
