Hooptober 7.0

Film 22/31 - Highest Rated Horror Film From the 50s That I Haven’t Seen

Another Hooptober gift.  This past year or so I dove deep into Giallo and have come to absolutely love that sub genre.  I had learned from various readings and commentaries what a debt the entire sub-genre owed to Diabolique, but I had yet to experience it first hand.

A masterful script and exquisite direction by Clouzot with stunning lead performances all combine to make it clear that this was deserving of all the acclaim when it was released, and today should stand at the top of the peak of early suspense on film.

Every shot and scene is simple, economical, yet purposeful and suffused with meaning.  Even at close to two hours, there is no fat here, every frame combines to build to the conclusion that, even if you know, still hits with an inescapable force.  Indeed, I realized early on that I had seen the 1996 remake and knew the central twist, but it didn’t detract in the slightest.  I was on the edge of my seat along with Vera Clouzot as she fights her own terror.

Watching some of the extras on the Criterion disc, I wasn’t surprised to learn how Hitchcock had wanted to adapt this novel himself, and bought the author’s follow up which he tuned into Vertigo, and how it took him 5 years until he made Psycho where he had his own chance to manipulate an audience like Diabolique did first.

This has made me eager to explore some of Clouzot’s other work and as a huge fan of Sorcerer, Wages Of Fear is up next after Hooptober concludes.