Diabolique - Criterion Collection

Amazon.com essential video

Legend has it that Henri-Georges Clouzot beat out Alfred Hitchcock to secure the rights to this novel, which proved to be a veritable blueprint for an icy masterpiece of murder, mystery, and suspense. Véra Clouzot plays the sickly wife of a callous headmaster of a provincial boarding school going to seed, and the commanding Simone Signoret is the headmaster's mistreated mistress. Together they plot and carry out his murder, a brutal drowning that director Clouzot documents in chilly detail, but the corpse disappears, and a nosy detective starts sniffing around the grounds as threatening notes taunt the women. Clouzot's thriller is as precise and accomplished a work as anything in Hitchcock's canon, a film of grueling suspense and startling shocks in an overcast, gray world of decay, but his icy manipulations lack the human dimension and emotional resonance of the master of suspense. The film has been accused of being misanthropic by many critics, and Clouzot's attitude toward his characters is bitter at best, contemptuous at worst. The viewer is left on the outside looking in, but the razor precision and terrifying twists deliver a sleek, bleak spectacle worthy of attention. --Sean Axmaker

Description

An acknowledged influence on Psycho, Henri-Georges Clouzot's horror classic is the story of a sadistic headmaster who brutalizes his fragile wife and his headstrong mistress. The two women murder him and dump his body in a swimming pool; when the pool is drained, no corpse is found. Criterion presents Diabolique in a new digital transfer.

Customer Reviews:

Suspense plus. .......2007-09-09

There are countless reviews of this seminal film to be read on the internet, so I shall direct my focus away from the aspects with which most of them deal.

Consider, for example the backdrops. Have you noticed how detailed and intricate they are? Every cobblestone in a street is seen, every crease on a bedcover, every scratch on a door handle - every shot is crammed with detail. I cannot recall seeing a blank wall or a plain open space.

This richness of visual detail is usually missing in Hitchcock films. I also find a richer dialogue than Hitchcock at this period ever provided. Richer too is the cast of eccentrics, drunkards, neighbours, and bit players. The drunkard who attempts to secrete himself in the back of the van containing the body in the basket, once seen, is never forgotten.

Writers Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac wrote the novel and the film rights were obtained by Clouzot only hours before Hitchcock's bid was received. Never mind if Simone Signoret usually has a cigarette protruding from her mouth in the early scenes, never mind that she and Vera Clouzot are made to totter around on the absurdly high-heeled shoes women wore in the mid 1950s, this is a film that will look good and captivate audiences forever.

They say that breaking up is hard to dooeeewww. .......2007-08-07

The title for my review is from the 80's movie Better Off Dead when Lane Meyer gets dumped by his girlfriend and every song on the radio is a love song and while breaking up is hard to do is playing he tosses the radio out the window hence the doeeewwww, this is what Christina Delassalle should do and toss her mean abusive husband to the curb a long time ago. For any guy that has been rude or mean to his girlfriend and feels guilty this is necessary watching if you want to feel better about yourself.
The director H.G. Clouzot tries to out Hitchcock Hitchcock, I don't think he accomplishes that however he gets about as close as anyone could.
The acting is solid oscar winner Simone Signoret delivers a great performance as mistress Nicole Horner, another great film that she provides an amazing performance as well worth checking out is Army of Shadows - Criterion Collection.
In an Ebert review he quotes the famous story behind Diabolique A man wrote to Alfred Hitchcock: "Sir, After seeing `Diabolique,' my daughter was afraid to take a bath. Now she has seen your `Psycho' and is afraid to take a shower. What should I do with her?" Hitchcock replied: "Send her to the dry cleaners."
DVD
Criterion's transfer as always looks great and is presented in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1. 33L1. This Digital Transfer was created from a 35mm Fine-Grain composite master, made from a restored negative.
No special features but some interesting info about the film provided in the film jacket.

Diabolique also ranks # 49th on Bravo's Scariest movie moments list.

Essential French cinema: Clouzot's 'Les Diaboliques.'.......2007-07-26

Considered by many critics as one of the 50 Scariest Movies ever made, and clearly among the most suspenseful films of the genre, Henri-Georges Clouzot's (1907-1977) Les Diaboliques (1954) is a black and white murder-mystery-thriller-classic about a brutish headmaster (Paul Meurisse) who bullies his fragile wife (Véra Clouzot) and his headstrong mistress (Simone Signoret). The two women conspire to murder the headmaster and then dump his body in a murky swimming pool; but when the pool is drained, no body is found. (As the end of the movie requests, I won't spoil the ending.) The film is based on the novel, Celle qui n'était plus, by Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac, and is often compared to Alfred Hitchcock, who was reportedly also interested in the film rights.

Criterion presents Diabolique in an impeccable new digital transfer created from a 35mm fine-grain composite master, made from a restored negative.

G. Merritt

5 stars for film - but where is the english langage version?.......2007-07-20

Diabolique is a perfect combination of suspense, noire, detective work, and horror. Great story, acting - and an incredible final 10 minutes - on par with the original Haunting.

But I have one missgiving. There is a very well dubbed English version of this film - Which I own on VHS tape. I have seen both English and French versions - and I must say For a non-French-speaking-person - the English dub is superior. Reading subtltles in this horror film distances you from the film and kills off much of the suspence. The voices in the French version were looped as well - so there is really no high-brow advantage to seeing the film with subtitles.

Criterion's print is great as usual but disapointing without the English version - So - For me I will conintue to watch my old English dubbed VHS tape until someone comes out with a quality English version of this film on DVD. ( The english dub is so good it almost appears that english was the original language version - in that the voices are appropriate and fit wwell)

But either way - Diaboque is a great film.

Diabolique.......2007-06-25

Snatched from Alfred Hitchcock, who lost the film rights to Clouzot, "Diabolique" is one of the finest thrillers ever made--in any language. Macabre, mysterious, and haunting, it keeps you on the edge of your chair with mind-bending plot twists, taut pacing, and an atmosphere of ghostly uncertainty. Signoret is icy yet resplendent, while director Clouzot's real-life wife Véra conveys just the right mix of fear and paranoia. This is chilling perfection from a criminally under-recognized French master of suspense. Beware the atrocious American remake.

Average customer rating:

The Hunt for the Unicorn Killer
Go for it if you're into murder mysteries.
Sad, harrowing, awful story, well done

The Hunt for the Unicorn Killer
Starring: Kevin Anderson , Tom Skerritt , Naomi Watts , Kellie Overbey , and Ruben Santiago-Hudson
Director: William A. Graham
Manufacturer: Studio Works
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ASIN: B00009RXKP
Release Date: 2003-08-19

Description

Ira Eignhorn is a well known 1970's activist, a force to be reckoned with far beyond the local hippie scene. His charm and seemingly harmless exterior brings him many followers and wins the heart of Holly Maddux, a young beautiful Bryn Mawr graduate. Yet, Ira has a much darker, violent side that Holly, after several years, can no longer tolerate and breaks off the relationship. Shortly thereafter, she disappears without a trace. Her family begins the search for Holly and 18 months later, her decomposed body is found by police in Ira's apartment. Ira believes he was framed and with the support of his followers, he promptly flees the country. Ira is tried in absentia, convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison, but the manhunt for Ira would take more than 16 years and extend around the world. Spanish Language Audio Option

Customer Reviews:

The Hunt for the Unicorn Killer.......2007-04-14

This movie is so well done. It's an amazing true story and I recall when the real Ira Einhorn started the first Earth Day. I highly recommend this movie.

Go for it if you're into murder mysteries........2004-08-30

This is the gripping, true thriller of the 60's-70-s activist, Ira Einhorn, who was accused in absentia of the blungeoning death of girlfriend, Holly Maddux in 79. This film is long, but well worth the time devoted to it, and the acting surprisingly, brilliant despite the fact it is a made for t.v. drama.

Sad, harrowing, awful story, well done.......2003-09-27

This movie documents the murder of Holly Maddux by Counterculture hippie Ira Einhorn(Unicron). This is an excellent film based on the history of the relationship between the monster Einhorn and innocent Holly. Einhorn murdered this poor girl and then left her body in a trunk in his closet for 18 months before the police found it.
Incredibly he was given bail and escaped to France, finally to be tracked down and eventually brought to justice in October of 2002 when after fighting many appeals and extradition in France he was convicted and sentenced to life in Prison. The movie details the trials up till 2001, so it's a little outdated. The film, though, is important as it spotlights the hypocrisy of the hippie counterculture, it shows how one of its leaders, who preached peace, only ruined people's lives and was a violent monster. We learn how conservative values turn out better in the end and how most liberals secretly beat and cheat on their wives and abort innocent lives. A wonderful account, much to learn here!

Average customer rating:

Basinger plays a corpse plus many twists more - good entertainment

Who Murdered Joy Morgan
Starring: Kim Basinger , Robert Culp , Stephen Macht , Nancy Marchand , and John Rubinstein
Director: John Llewellyn Moxey
Manufacturer: CineVu, Inc.
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ASIN: B0002CK80I
Release Date: 2004-05-01

Customer Reviews:

Basinger plays a corpse plus many twists more - good entertainment.......2007-05-21

Kim Basinger has the role of a very attractive spoilt brat (with a Ferrari) in this entertaining made for TV movie. It offers many twists up to the surprise ending and a couple of very good performances. Robert Culp seems to enjoy his role very much, he ominously stares into binoculars and crawls out of bushes with an insane grin at odd moments. All very hush hush. Equally good is Nancy Marchand a the possessive mother of one of the main characters and the attractive and little seen Ann Dusenberry (Cutter's Way) as one of the many "diversions". The title of this review contains a spoiler - sorry - but should not detain anyone from watching and enjoying this little entertainment of a movie.

Average customer rating:

With Little Talent, Very Little Is Accomplished.

Still Life
Starring: Gary Farmer , Jason Gedrick , Sam Malkin , Stephen Shellen , and Jessica Steen
Director: Graeme Campbell
Manufacturer: Trinity Home Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
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Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds

ASIN: B0001Z4OX8
Release Date: 2004-04-20

Description

A struggling artist notes that in order to succeed, you need to kill yourself. Once the wheels are set in motion however, things get out of control. Soon, the price of fame grows much higher than expected... and keeps growing.

Customer Reviews:

With Little Talent, Very Little Is Accomplished........2005-08-08

Filmed in a Toronto that is meant to depict New York City, this carelessly produced low-budget piece is loosely organized from its beginning, with most of its shortcomings stemming from a scenario concerning a serial killer operating in a rundown artist's loft district, the victims being indigents who, after being shot in the head, are ensconced within oversized picture frames and arranged as pastiches of popular paintings, e.g., Whistler's Mother, with an accompanying "A.K." (Art Killer) signature. A painfully untalented musician, Peter Sherwood (Jason Gedrick), whose uninventive electronic ability with keyboard and sampler fails to bring him fiscal success, his live-in girlfriend Nellie (Jessica Steen), and their performing artist pal Teddy (Stephen Shellen) reside within the stricken area amid the homicide hullabaloo, with Nellie a New York television journalist reporting upon the slayings as they occur. A trifling attempt is made to depict how the killer has become a "popular" figure with fringe members of the citizenry, and Nellie and Teddy each enjoys benefits from publicity, but when Peter is assaulted by a pair of non-lethal "A.K." copycats and subsequently attached to a frame in a junkyard, this particular media event has come too near the trio for their comfort. Additionally, local police, essentially it would seem limited in number to one rather seedy detective, have begun to suspect Sherwood of being "A.K." as some type of disturbed ploy with which to further his stuttering music career, and personal forms of danger increase for Peter and his kidnapped lover. With a working title of ART KILLER FRAMED wisely changed, this film, despite its macabre theme and trappings of violence, lacks that important ingredient of suspense, critical to all genres, since even a semi-comatose viewer will have solved the case in short order, and no character as portrayed will gain audience sympathy. Direction is flaccid, particularly noticeable when players are forced to weakly ad lib, and post-production efforts fail to correct flaws, notably relative to the generally poorly written dialogue and other sound issues, and the unimpressive actors obviously lack oversight; requisite attention to planning plainly was not available for this work.

Average customer rating:

Who Murdered Joy Morgan?
Starring: Kim Basinger , Robert Culp , Anne Dusenberry , Stephen Macht , and Nancy Marchand
Director: John Llewellyn Moxey
Manufacturer: Legacy Entertainment
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ASIN: B00077BOR4
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Average customer rating:

Bad!
$100 FOR IN THE BUFF
Exhumed...for what reason?
UNDEAD HISTORY

Exhumed
Starring: Exhumed
Manufacturer: VITAL FLUIDS RELEASING
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Description

The theme of time travel and the power to raise the dead is explored in this story of samurais, monks, 40s era film noir detectives, vampire mods and of course, rockabilly werewolves.

Customer Reviews:

Bad!.......2006-07-22

I had high hopes for this film since I enjoyed Meat Market 1 & 2 but this latest film is horrible. I went in thinking there would be some sort of plot I could follow, but by the end of the DVD, I was left wondering if some how I skipped over several chapters. The first story of the trilogy was in my opinion the best...and the sad part is that it wasn't even spoken in English!

$100 FOR IN THE BUFF.......2005-06-22

Although polished and professional - I couldn't help but think as I watched EXHUMED that I was watching a treatment for a bigger and better film. All the elements for both a blockbuster and a cult classic are inside, and they work... just what EXHUMED lacks is a bigger budget and a better editor.

While the direction is fine - the pacing of the film drags. When things should be moving slow, it works - but when the film calls for a quicker pace, it simple lays there. Scenes run too long, and in some of the action sequences you are totally removed from the film because the lack of editing allows you to see the actors "thinking" through their moves and lines. There is a hesitation that simply jolts you. And it gets even more strange when in the second chapter of the story (THE SHADOW OF TOMORROW) when the reporter in the story gets something like eight or nine different edits in one scene - as if he couldn't remember all his lines at once, or string two of them together at the same time - so the director has him deliver each line solo and then edited them all together afterwards... which is fine, we've seen this before in major films - but here the camera is all over the place. Up close, wide, medium, cockeyed, straight on - it just skips like a record and you're not sure if this was something the director wanted, or hoped we wouldn't notice. But you do - and you can't help but wish he had saved some of them for the rest of the film.

Of all three stories - THE FOREST OF DEATH, THE SHADOW OF TOMORROW and LAST RUMBLE - THE SHADOW OF TOMORROW is the most comprehenisve and complete (it's film noir, it's black and white and features one of the oddest moments ever put to film when the MAD DOCTOR of the piece tells us of his mad plans, his mad dreams, his mad designs for the world with his BACK TO US for the ENTIRE speech. He raves to a brick wall while the cast looks on - it seems no one told him to actually TURN AROUND and deliver his lines to the audience - very strange). The first story works very well - but needed to be ramped up. It's not VERSUS, but it clearly draws one some of the same tone and feel. The LAST RUMBLE is the most difficult - not just because the performances are pretty much across the board terrible - but that the set designs are very weak. It could either be one hundred years in the future, or tomorrow in your High School band room (you make the call).

All three stories are linked - for this is not really AN EPIC ANTHOLOGY OF THE UNDEAD - it's really one movie, but it's made up of several well known ones as well. Like VERSUS, PLAN NINE FROM OUTER SPACE or SUNSET BOULEVARD? It's in here - all tied together with a HEAVY METAL like linking story surrounding an "ancient artifact".

EXHUMED is a good film. It's worth the time spent watching it and has a good twist and great plot (and some great moments to simply "hoot" at as well - watch for the Drunken Sailor in THE SHADOW OF TOMORROW and prepare to laugh)... it just lacks a bigger budget and a faster pace... and, oh yeah, more zombies!

Exhumed...for what reason?.......2005-04-20

I hate giving Clement a bad review, but this one was a let-down. The only installment of the three vignettes I enjoyed was the final one that involved werewolves/vampires/and zombies. If the entire movie had this kind of hook, I would've enjoyed it as much as the Meat Market movies and Binge and Purge which are excellent films.

It was the confusing, purposefully vague ending that made me dislike this movie so much. I do look forward to his next film, this one is just okay, but nothing to write home about.

UNDEAD HISTORY.......2005-02-27

EXHUMED is the new movie from BRIAN CLEMENT and FRONTLINE FILMS, the guys who brought us the legendary no budget gems " MEAT MARKET 1 and 2 ". Call me crazy but those two classic, cult, cheap, sleazy, dirty and gory Zombie Flicks are masterpieces to me. So no need to tell you I was expecting EXHUMED like mad.

First impression, the production values are higher on this one than on the MEAT MARKETS as it's obvious that FRONTLINE FILMS have raised more money to make this Zombie dream come true. Then, Brian Clement has really improved his skills and mannage to give us some more beautiful shots apparently using a better camera than before.

The Stories are original and different. The first one is a SAMURAIS VS ZOMBIES thing that really rocks. The second one is shot like a 50's NOIR ( Black and White picture, lights play and all that stuff ) and by being more classy than trashy it looks like one. The third story is basically UNDERWORLD with balls, gore, Nazies and rotten zombies everywhere. The three of them are awesome ( especially the first and last one ) and make you feel like you have actually watched three different movies and I think they should have kept it that way. Unfortunately, the stories are related and it gives EXHUMED one of the most messy ending EVER. I won't reveal it but it implies time space travelling and in my opinion it just ruins the, so far, great plot by adding nothing but mess to it. Overall, it's alright and it sure didn't keep me from having a groovy time.

The make ups and Fx,as usual, are just great. The Gore is still effective and gross but lower than on previous FRONTLINE efforts. Still they deliver their share of dismembered bodies, blood and guts, it's just a litle bit less extreme.

In conclusion, that flick could have been much better. Knowing what BRIAN CLEMENT is capable of, there is no doubt about it. But anyway, it's awesome no matter what and FRONTLINE FILMS will grow bigger and bigger because they are talented people and it shows. So if you love graphic violence, sexy vampires, samourais, werewolves,decayed corpses and trash movies in general, MR GORYSSIMO strongly advises you to order EXHUMED in a heartbeat. What are you waiting for ?

The Missing Corpse (1945) DVD [Remastered Edition]

Average customer rating:

Pleasingly Done Example Of A "B" Film Hybrid.
Very Funny
A Deadly Comedie

The Missing Corpse (1945) DVD [Remastered Edition]
Director: A2ZCDS.com
Manufacturer: A2ZCDS.com
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0007UTVB2
Release Date: 2005-03-22

Product Description

"This hilarious comedy is gift-wrapped as a suspense thriller. The plot unfolds so quickly that you seldom have the time to stop laughing and start guessing. It (the plot) is unique in that it does not focus on whodunit - we know that from the start - but on the humorous attempts of a man to hide the corpse. Director Albert Hermans superb direction coupled with well-placed humor ensures that the pace does not slacken till the end. Some lively performances by Mike the driver and Jimmy Trig the cop deserve mention. The ingenuity of the storywriter becomes evident as the plot unfolds, with the corpse appearing at the most unexpected places. What makes the plot funnier and more thrilling is the fact that the characters see the corpse hidden in their closets and under their beds quite clearly, thus convincing you that the suspense has ended, but a little later you end up just as mystified as the character when the corpse disappears in a flash! This is a highly recommended movie for all those who love humor and mystery. It is sure to have you in splits when you are not wondering about whats in store for you next!"

Customer Reviews:

Pleasingly Done Example Of A "B" Film Hybrid........2006-10-17

PRC produces an enjoyable item here with little funding, a comedic melodrama that successfully incorporates both verbal and visual humour, along with a dollop of suspense, in creating a picture notable for its rare featured performance by veteran supporting actor J. Edward Bromberg, skillful direction, and especially effective scoring, in addition to a clever scenario that benefits from perfect pacing to smoothly advance the action. A whimsical plot requires that scripting, acting, and editing combine equally to avoid mere giddiness, and that is the case here, with Bromberg cast as Henry Kruger, an ethical newspaper publisher who threatens Andy McDonald, his counterpart upon a rival big city (Los Angeles) tabloid, with physical harm after McDonald splashes a nightclub escapade involving Kruger's daughter upon his journal's front page. After the blackmailing McDonald is murdered by one of his victims, his corpse is chased from the unsuspecting Kruger's automobile trunk to a series of makeshift hiding places, with humourous perplexity resulting from Kruger's attempts to avoid being implicated in the homicide. Director Albert Herman, for his final feature film commission, ably leads his actors in the briskly gaited affair, and manages in fine fashion to balance comedy with sequences of suspense, aided throughout by a splendid score contributed by classically trained Karl Hajos, who adds pages to his prior work from studio stock, seamlessly blending the total into the narrative. Acting is of variable merit, with Frank Jenks winning the Thespic laurels in the role of Kruger's chauffeur and companion, a typically sharply defined performance from him, capitalizing upon his impeccable sense of timing.

Very Funny.......2006-10-12

I like how this otherwise traditional screwball comedie includes just enough scarier moments to keep the momentum going. Of coruse, like most films of this genre and era, the jokes are somewhat dated, but if you can get your mind into the rihgt place, it can be very, very funny. The special effects are pretty good by 1940s standards and the picture is well edited and paced. A classic treat.

A Deadly Comedie.......2006-05-24

Watching this movie with my grandfather, I was struck by how much better and more wholesome comedies used to be. Did you know that it's possible to make a very, very funny movie without any references to sex or bodily functions? I wish more movies today had this kid of attitude. I can't remember the last mondern comedie that I would feel comfortable watching with older members of my family. The plot involves a body that keeps poppping up all over the place - sort of like during a Scooby Doo episode. It was fun.

DVD:

DVD

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