Diabolique

Henri-Georges Clouzot's masterpiece of moral suspense follows two women trapped in a provincial school by the same odious man. The famous final twist is now famous because the film does not coast on it — every scene before it is a slow tightening of dread.

• Clouzot purchased the source novel one hour before Hitchcock's bid.
• Hitchcock made Psycho partially in answer to this film.
• Audiences were asked not to enter the theater late.
• The bathtub scene reportedly caused real heart attacks in audiences.
• The school setting was based on Clouzot's own boarding school years.

• "Don't be devils! Don't spoil this film for your friends."
• "It's shabby."
• "He was a monster."
• "How long does it take to die?"
• "You have to choose."