Description

One of the most nerve-wracking and exciting films ever made, Henri-Georges Clouzot's masterpiece won the Grand Prize at the 1953 Cannes Film Festival. An American oil company enlists four tough drifters for a high-paying suicide mission-transporting explosives across the rough terrain of Central America. Criterion is proud to present Wages of Fear in its original 148-minute version. ... Read more

Reviews (49)

Not for the weak minded...
"The Wages Of Fear" by director Henri-Georges Clouzot is a classic example of an action/suspense film for the thinking man. Filmed almost fifty years ago, the story and cinematography hold up well, much better than those of many American films that were produced during that time frame, c. 1955.

The story: Four drifters (presumably in exile from native France) are hired to drive two tanker trucks of nitro glycerine through rugged South American terrain in order to to extinguish an oil well fire. In the series of events that follows, the four encounter a variety of circumstances that threaten to end the road trip and send them to kingdom come.

"The Wages Of Fear" is not the sort of film that you'll see on "Dinner and a Movie"; The landscape, the cast and the ensuing events as portrayed in the movie typify a sort of squalid existence that most people, fortunately, never have to deal with. "The Wages Of Fear" is most definitely NOT a "date" film.

The film is french, in glorious black and white, with subtitles and some spoken english. Yves Montand and Charles Vanel give solid performances, as do Peter van Eyck and Folco Lulli. The direction of Clouzot helps to wonderfully illustrate the unfolding story of the four, and is simply outstanding.

A previous reviewer mentioned that a 1977 remake, William Friedken's "Sorcerer," is also a good film. He's absolutely correct; it is. However, "Sorcerer," was filmed in color, not black and white. And because the film's spoken language is English, the tone of the film is a little different. "Sorcerer" is a little bit softer around the edges, and not as dark.

"The Wages Of Fear" isn't a film that I'd like to watch on a regular basis - it is a rather dark film. However, it is worth seeing more than once. It's an impressive film.

Cult French production sees four men risk their lives...
Highly celebrated French film by director Henri-Georges Clouzot has achieved near cult status amongst fans of intelligent, psychological drama. Impressive black & white 1953 production excels in it's microscopic view of four personalities under intense pressure to succeed in a deadly quest.

Well known plot concerns four down & out drifters in isolated South American village accept $2,000 pay check's to transport two trucks loaded with nitro glycerine to extinguish oil well fire. Obstacles abound on their perilous quest with precarious mountain roads, dangerous landslides, burst oil pipes, ageing equipment and clash of personalities amongst motley crew. Yves Montand (Mario) & Charles Vanel (Joe) lead an engaging cast as reckless men with nothing to lose...except their lives. Marvellous support performances given by stern Peter van Eyck (Bimba) and animated Folco Lulli (Luigi) as the second crew of foolhardy truck drivers.

Seems unusual for Criterion to not accompany this release with additional materials...as is usually their style. Transfer to DVD is very good, except for occassional appearance of vertical white line at different stages of the film. Sound is crisp and clean too !

A suspenseful, perspicacious film that definitely possess's it's own distinct approach...film afficiando's will not be dissappointed by this fine production.

Unforgettable Film
"The Wages of Fear" is considered one of the truly great films. It not only delivers terrific suspense and excitement, it is also a rather telling comment on the human condition. Some drifters are trapped in a hot, bug-infested South American hell-hole. They are out of luck, out of money and seemingly doomed to remain where they are, fighting hunger, heat and each other. Suddenly, they are offered a small fortune to drive trucks through the jungle, across a mountain range to a destination 300 miles distant. The catch ? The trucks are loaded with nitroglycerine--one bump--one spark--one mistake--and the truck and any unfortunate humans on board are history.

Four men agree to drive two trucks, and their journey will have you biting your finger-nails down to your elbows ! All four actors are fine, with Yves Montand particularly memorable in the lead. I agree with the reviewer who notes that the first half hour of the film is slow, but it sets the mood. It's important to understand why these characters would volunteer for such a "mission impossible", even for a big payday.

The film has a chilling message about the lengths that people will go for money. I couldn't help but consider some of the "reality" television programs we see today like "Fear Factor". It's sad to see what indignities and dangers people will subject themselves to just to make a buck, and how easily they can be exploited.

The picture quality of the DVD is fine. I was surprised to find no extras, given that this is a Criterion release. An interview with one of our current, respected directors would have been a nice bonus. I'm sure that a film buff like Martin Scorsese would have some fascinating comments. Then again--I'm sure he's a busy guy !

Bottom line--a timeless masterpiece for serious film collectors.

A superb suspense an anthological film
Wages of fear is one of the milestones in all the cinema's story.
The lives of two men engaged in a mission that you qualify as no sense. And so that's precisely the most relevant point.
How far can the greed, the ambition generate such tension state when you accept the special condition of carrying this special delivery?
Montand an actor that grew up with la port de la nuit, years before makes an outstanding performance.
The film, far from being dated, it revalues with the years. Maybe this film is the masterpiece of Clouzot.
And it constitutes one of the eleven best french films of that ddecade, together with Rififi, Forbidden games, The four hundred blows, Elevator to the gallows, The amants, Bob le flambeur, Les cousins, Diary of a country priest, Pickpocket and le travesee de Paris.
Buy it this DVD. You'll be always rewarded.

A great film but the first part is boring.
This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.

This is one of the most exciting films that I have seen. The first 35 minutes I think are nonessential to the plot and knind of boring.

In the film, an oil well in South America catches fire and the only way to put it out is with nitroglycerin. There is a stockpile in a town some 300 miles away. The only problem is that they don't have refrigerated trucks. Nitro melts at 86ºF and when in liquid form, the slightest bump can cause it to go off. They hire a team of 4 to carry a couple tons of is across dangerous mountain roads in 2 trucks to where the fire is.

The film will have you on the edge of your seat as they encounter obstacles and poor road conditions. There is a scene when there is a boulder blocking the road and they use the nirto to blow it up.

There are no special features in this edition but it is still a great film that I would like to see remade. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

OMG
"Martha, sell all my clothes I've just died and gone to heaven!" (That was my reaction after viewing and hearing this performance of Verdi's Requiem.) My god what a performance this video is. The words "Golden age" does NOT begin to describe what is on this DVD. If Leontyne Price's glorious voice does not dissolve you to tears you do not have a heart!! The sound of her voice soaring over (and I mean over) the orchestra and chorus had me prostrate on the floor completely dissolved in tears. (Good thing I wasn't at a live concert; it would have been rather embarrassing.) In this performance, she proves, once again that she was the greatest Verdian soprano that there has ever been-period. (END of the discussion!)
Cossotto has never been a particular favorite of mine; however, she truly shines in this video giving a most moving account of her music. Perhaps Karajan kept her in line getting the very best, from her that she had. Her voice blends very well with Price's voice. Their duet is exquisite.
A very young (pre-superstar status) Pavarotti looks scared to be in front of Karajan and surrounded by some of the world's greatest singers, of the time, gives a wonderful performance singing with sweetness and care even if he is glued to his score. He shows why he was to become superstar material.
Ghiaurov sounds like rolls of thunder anchoring the whole quartet of soloist with his deep resounding bass voice.
Karajan seems to be literally pulling out the beautiful sound of the orchestra, soloist and chorus, with his bare hands. He even sheds tears when Leontyne is singing-who wouldn't?
If you love beautiful music and want to hear what a once-in-a-lifetime performance is all about, run (don't walk!) and get this DVD. It will change your life or in the least make it so much better, and isn't that what music is all about?

Verdi Requiem
This is a great recording folks!!!
Don't miss it.
But I wouldn't pay $250 for this.
You can get this recording at Tower REcords for 18 bucks.

Wow, this is stuff of legends
Despite its being over 30 years old, this recording is quite possibly the best one available. AND the DG engineers did a super job restoring it. The sound and the picture are both very very good. The singers... where I begin? They're all downright phenomenal. Price and Cossotto both have incredibly creamy soaring voices. While very different in timbre, they blend with astounding beauty. Just look at their faces -- they are so clearly inspired by the Higher power, it's a pure joy to watch! Nicolai Ghiaurov is truly The voice of God here, his immense basso used to earth-shattering effect. To top it off, this video has very young Luciano Pavarotti singing with rare sensitivity and real feeling. Back then, Pavarotti was a relative newcomer, while the rest of the principals were already well-established singers. But, while no doubt aware of it, he really focused on the music and his fresh lyric tenor rings with silvery brilliance.
Von Karajan is shown at his best here. You can clearly see the care for the singers and for the music, and his obvious enjoyment is a pleasure to behold. Don't delay in getting this DVD!

Astounding Verdi Requiem
This is supreme music supremely achieved. I have always loved Karajan's work, his musical refinement and depth. Watching him on this video and listening to it, I understand him better now. He seems sometimes in ecstasy and in utter awe of what he is in the process of molding into the most superb artistic achievement, and never so much as when he is directing and listening to Leontyne Price. At these moments, he seems rapt in prayer at the unbeleivably gorgeous beauty and sublimity of her voice and performance. Seeing Price and Cossotto standing there and soaring away without sheet music in front of them is astonishing and proves the point that the best music making is done when the performer knows the work by heart. The gentlemen here are worthy collaborators in this unbelievable structuring of unqualifed greatness in solo and ensemble performance. Orchestra and chorus are on the mark of sheer beauty. This is a spine-tingling, both arms, back of the neck, chill-bump splendor. If you don't have this DVD, you need to go get it! Do your heart and soul a favor.

The Best Classical Music Video (DVD) Available
It does not get any better than this. If you want to see a truly exciting conductor in action, this is it. Karajan is in his prime. The La Scala chorus is truly one of the greatest choruses in the world. The soloists are four of the greatest opera singers of all time, all together on stage, in their primes, giving legendary performances. And this is one of Verdi's most exciting works. It does not get any better than this on DVD, Video, CD, or LP. Thank God for DVDs like this. ... Read more

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. ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Definitely worth investigating
This film is far more than a potboiler with a clever twist at the end: the script, performances and photography are really very fine indeed. Clouzot paces the film briskly, so the murder is more or less afoot within the first 10 minutes: great stuff.

Paul Meurisse as the loathsome headmaster is excellent, as are Vera Clouzot as his frail wife and Simone Signoret as his mistress. The lesser roles (school staff etc) are also well taken.

As for the DVD, I was pleasantly surprised at the quality. Soundwise, don't worry about the rather constricted melodramatic music over the opening credits. That's the last music you'll hear, and the speech driven mono soundtrack sounds fine.

From an image point of view, the transfer was better than I was expecting, after reading other reviews of this DVD. It is correctly framed in 1.33:1, and the print used has little damage in terms of nicks or scars. Very occasionally there are more flecks than you might want, but nothing to worry about.

The image is reasonably sharp (and improves on some of the interiors, particularly the darker scenes), although occasionally it is a little soft with a touch of grain in the daytime exteriors. I also noticed that this slight softness coincided with Vera Clouzot being on screen, so perhaps it was deliberate on her husband the director's part. The lighting of this film is also superb: just check out some of the night exteriors which are superbly atmospheric.

So will this film 'drive you up the wall' as the film guide says? Well, no, not really. The twist at the end is very well done, if not too surprising to modern audiences. There is at least one smaller twist after that, though, which will make you think.

A classic of the cinema which I recommend in its Criterion format.

One of the best movie endings of all time
This is a film that means to get under your skin, and it succeeds. A man's mistress and his wife, finely portrayed by Simone Signoret and Vera Clouzot, respectively, plot to murder him...but then the body disappears. And that's only the first twist in a story as visually inventive as it is convoluted. Bleak and cold-blooded from the start, DIABOLIQUE takes a slow, leisurely approach to its storytelling, but with each gradual development lays on an extra layer of tension, then proceeds to tighten the suspense like a screw. The result is a genuinely disturbing final half hour that culminates in one of the most shocking conclusions ever put on screen. Shot in stark black-and-white and without the benefit of a soundtrack (which actually heightens the suspense), DIABOLIQUE exists solely for the glee with which it executes its surprise ending, but what an ending it is. Anyone who gives away this devastating shocker of a conclusion ought to be drowned in his own bathtub.

A sometimes confusing, angst ridden classic
If "Diabolique" influenced Hitchcock's "Psycho", one would have to say that the classic French film exceeds the 'classic' American slasher flick.

In a twisted and at times really confused turn of events, a shy schoolmarm teams up with her husband's mistress to kill him (or so we think). The husband is a real SOB, constantly bossing both of them around and treating his students like dogs. Since he is in a position of provincial power, however, his petty control games and short temper go unremarked upon. There are tones of lesbianism in this sleek thriller, with the wife and mistress and forming (*(it seems*) a strong bond in their hatred of the husband. The only lucid character we have is a private investigator who precipitates a tragedy, perhaps without knowing it. (Or is he in on it too?_

I won't spoil the rest of the film for the viewer, but it would be safe to say that this is one of the strangest plots I have ever encountered, and one of the most intriguing. We are confronted with weakness versus strength, good versus evil, and the standard collection of themes, but in a subtle, disturbing fashion. The last scene in the film, when a child comments on the schoolmarm's appearance in the school, is enough to leave one wondering whether there is yet another element at work which we have not yet seen. This is far better than "Psycho", although one can see the parallels. A must see.

Aghast in the Bath
It's a pity that some reviewers are so numbed and stunned by today's in-your-face gore and horror that they can't appreciate the subtleties of character and relationship analysis displayed in a film like this. Although there's little doubt that it is at its most effective the first time round (provided you don't already know the ending) there is still a lot left to savour. I saw it when it was new, and the shock in the theatre towards the end was palpable. Not so today, of course. Nevertheless, the peculiarly French menage-a-trois with its vile central bully remains perennially interesting. The run-down school with its dilapidated staff and surroundings, the paternalistic and sadistic hierarchical structure, the completely realistic school-kids, the bleakly austere atmosphere of post-war France (it was exactly like this in England too), with people just about able to make ends meet, is all still extremely fascinating. Both the women's performances are exceptional: the frailty and piety of Vera Clouzot is balanced by just enough determination to commit the murder, and the slightly butch sensuality of Signoret allows her to get away with her fake concern as well as her ruthlessness. The beauty of each of them is a study in perfect contrast. The very final twist let's us know that it's all been a bit of a joke. Why Hitchcock's Vertigo is considered a masterpiece I'll never know.

A great mystery film with Hitchcock elements
This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.

This film, directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot is one of the greatest French mystery films I have seen. In the film, a school principal is very mean to his wife and mistress. They team up to drown him and dump his body in a pool. Later they begin to suspect that he wasn't dead when they dumped him in the pool. The film has a surprise ending that I will not reveal as it would be considered a spoiler.

The DVD dies not have any special features, but is still a really good film. The film had a remake done in 1996 with Sharon Stone and Isabelle Adjani. I have not seen the remake but intend to sometime soon. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Just as visual artists understand the relationship between positive andnegative space in their work, France's master filmmaker Henri-Georges Clouzot(Diabolique) understood--and set about demonstrating via The Mysteryof Picasso--the relationship between creation and destruction in theartistic process. In 1955, Clouzot teamed with his friend Pablo Picasso tocapture as many aspects of the brilliant painter's working methods as possible.Clouzot innovatively placed the camera in front of Picasso while the latterworked, thus capturing astonishing reverse images of brush strokes and"bleeding" inks in volatile motion. The result is that Clouzot's film--thescreen, the frame--become Picasso's canvas, and we find ourselves inside hisprodigious genius as works of beauty spontaneously burst forth and are instantlycrushed beneath the weight of new images, new ideas. A viewer would be forgivenif, more than once, he felt like screaming at such nonchalant carnage. --TomKeogh ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Brought Life To My Eyes
I was completely awestruck by the absolute wondrous way in which Picasso constructed his paintings. It was one of the most beautiful essays of an artist on film. I still can't believe the magic that Picasso weaved with his brush, transforming the painting from one image into another. Funnily enough, I saw "Surviving Picasso" a week ago, and this made that film seem completely and utterly ridiculous. I am so thankful that a film such as this, is available. Just imagine having a movie of Da Vinci or Raphael, well this is it! The true genius of the twentieth century in all of his glory. I was just blown away by his astounding confidence yet there was none of the ego-maniacal ways that I have read about. This puts that all to rest. This is a lasting testament to a mans greatness. Thank you Picasso!

MASTERFUL!
This film is a real treat, as gives us an insight into the work of Picasso by literally allowing us to see the master at work and how his simple brush strokes incredibly evolve into masterpieces, in some instances even metamorphosing before our eyes from a figurative piece in to a cubist expression of the same. This is a film that I was pleasantly surprised to see my 5-year-old son sit through shearing my amazement as Picasso worked for the camera. It's a definite "must have" for those that like Picasso and who, after viewing this movie, will appreciate his work even more!

Facsinating Film on Picasso
This is a nice DVD edition. The images are clear and the color is rich and natural. The commentaries are also quite good. Peggy Parsons talks about the film as a film and about Picasso's showmanship, and the commentary by Archie Rand analyzes the paintings and is quite insightful. His commentary is a bit dry, and since he is a professor, he's a little too into himself and his big words. One annoying aspect to his commentary is his constant reference to Picasso's "courage" in the act of creating art. No, sorry! Someone suffering from cancer and living through hellish treatments shows courage, not a wealthly perfectly healthy artist in a studio making a painting! But overall I found both commentaries insightful and added to my understanding and appreciation of this film and Picasso.

The Eye Molds the Canvas
A Fabulous film showing how an artist- in this case Picasso- takes a blank sheet of paper or canvas and transforms it into a work of art. Thru a special process that lets the inks bleed thru to the wrong side of the canvas where a camera captures the developement of a drawing from the first placement of a brush stroke to the final completed drawing/painting. Sometimes it is truly amazing to see what comes forth from the humble beginnings. We also are able to follow the developement of paintings as well with the aide of stop motion photography. I wish I were an art teacher so I could share this with my students! An enjoyable film for anyone with an interest in art!

Unforgettable
I once saw this film on television, late at night. This was at least ten years ago, and despite having seen it only once, many of the images are still fresh in my mind. Along with Paul Cox's "Vincent", an extraordinary documentary about the life of Vincent Van Gogh, this is probably the best portrait of the work and life of an artist. Worth every penny. ... Read more

Description

A mysterious writer of poison pen letters known only as Le Corbeau(The Raven) plagues a French provincial town, and unwittingly exposes the collectivesuspicion and rancor that was seething beneath the community's calm surface. Madeduring the Nazi Occupation of France, Henri-Georges Clouzot's Le Corbeau was attackedby the right-wing Vichy regime, the left-wing Resistance press, the Catholic Church, andwas banned after the liberation. Le Corbeau brilliantly captures the spirit of paranoidpettiness and self-loathing that turns an occupied French town into a twentieth-centurySalem. The disc includes a video interview with Bernard Tavernier (director of Coup deTorchon), and excerpts from a 1975 documentary on French cinema during World WarII. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Raven vs. Robin
A reticent physician with a mysterious past, practicing in the small French town of St. Robin, is targeted by poison-pen letters signed "Le Corbeau" (The Raven). The letters increase from a trickle to a deluge as virtually everyone in town is targeted; confidences are violated and neighbor suspects neighbor in an infectious atmosphere of growing paranoia and mistrust. Henri-Georges Clouzot (Diabolique, Wages of Fear) keeps the viewer on his toes throughout the entire 91 minutes; there isn't a weak spot in this entire film which, amazingly, managed to get itself made during the Nazi occupation of France (and which was condemned by both the Right and Left Wings, with the Church thrown in for good measure).
I caught the beginning of this film some months back on Turner and was too tired to watch it in its entirety. I was very happy to learn that Criterion (yay!) was scheduled to release it and I wasn't disappointed; this film belongs in the library of every serious collector. In fact, I can't imagine anyone's not enjoying it.
Since other reviewers have summarized the plot, I'll confine the rest of my review to the disk and its extras. The print--predictably--is gorgeous, presented in its original full-screen aspect ratio. Contrary to another reviewer, I found the sound clear as a bell and not in the least bit harsh or tinny. I haven't, with the exception of the trailer, availed myself of the extras yet but this is a Criterion release--I'd be surprised if they were anything but first-rate. A very informative booklet is included and makes for interesting reading. My quibbles are minor and few: I found the subtitles difficult to see from a rather short distance, and I wish they were offered in other languages (I have a number of friends who are recent emigres from Russia and other countries who are eager to avail themselves of quality cinema). There was also a scene where the action paused for a fraction of a second--I'm not sure if this was the director's intention or the result of this being a dual-layer release.
This is a fascinating film that can be enjoyed on a number of levels, i.e., one need not be aware of conditions in France at the time it was shot to be captivated by it. An excellent introduction to the work of Clouzot for the initiate and a welcome event for seasoned fans.

BIRDIE NUM ..... NUM[B]S ........
with apology to the late Peter S.

The unusual suspects? Sure, this one has them all - the New Doctor [who has an rather unusual bedside manner with the ladies, and performs ... shall we say ... perhaps those unspoken surgeries?], the two sisters - one the Nurse, always cloaked and hooded, falconesque perhaps? The other one - petite, sweet, blonde and braided and married to an 'elder gentleman' - somewhat a May/December fling, then there's the 'Bird in the Gilded Cage', wing slightly clipped, but also enamoured by the Doctor ..... and the little bespectacled teen ......

Clouzot paints a drab, fascinating, character study of total paranoia during our stay in this little hamlet ... and the letters? They keep on coming - until everyone becomes a suspect.

Brilliantly photographed and lensed this is a must-see experience, but not just once, Oh, our director flings the truth right out there - so obvious from the very beginning, but it's up to the viewer.....

As for the Patient in bed #13 and the doting, veiled mama? Another sinister moment!

Buy, yes, buy this Birdie!

Clouzot brilliance
Nothing to add about the picture - splendid acting, menacing, claustrophobic atmosphere. Just a word about the disc - visually,
about one of the cleanest transfers of a film this old that I've yet seen. Looks like they had a good print to begin with, and did
what they usually do digitally - the result is pristine. Blacks very black, good contrast. However, they were a little overzealous with the sound, which in its filtered state is unusually tinny and whistly. This detracts somewhat from the overall quality of the presentation, but not too much. The extras are very good and most apropos, as one would expect of Criterion.

Brilliant Clouzot keeps you guessing...
In the small town of St. Robin multiple rumors have begun to spread through malicious letters sent by someone who calls him or herself, Raven. These rumors do not affect the towns people in the beginning, however, Raven's diligence to persist sending letters sets root in the small town and spiteful rumors begin to affect the people mentioned in the letter. The central figures in St. Robin start an investigation, but can their attempts succeed in uncovering the identity of Raven? Le Corbeau is a brilliant thriller directed by Clouzot who displays his understanding of social interaction and the human psyche as people are confronted with lies and truths. In the end the audience is offered a memorable cinematic experience that keeps the audience guessing until the end.

Correction
Just a correction to the other review. Corbeau is the French word for raven. Corneille is French for crow. So the translation of this title, Le Corbeau, as The Raven, is perfectly correct. Otherwise, I agree with the review in general. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Though dressed in the guise of a murder mystery, Quai des Orfèvres is a rich, engrossing character study in which murder plays a secondary role. Six years before the triumph of The Wages of Fear, director Henri-Georges Clouzot couldn't find a copy of his source novel (Légitime Defense, by Stanislas-André Steeman), so he crafted this stylish police procedural from spotty memory, infuriating the author while freeing himself to explore the depths of his all-too-human characters. Using atmospheric Parisian locations and shadowy compositions that rival anything in American film noir, Clouzot gives plausible alibis to the prime suspects--a dancehall chanteuse, her suspicious husband, and a fashionable lesbian photographer--while a seasoned detective (played to perfection by Louis Jouvet) efficiently sorts through the clues. Anyone expecting thrills will be disappointed: Clouzot's fascination with human behavior prevails, and this subtle mix of motives and secrets is delicately balanced with underworld cynicism and a compassionate understanding of the human heart. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Joyfully Cynical Comedy
Clouzot, the "French Hitchcock", downplays the suspense here to make a joyfully cynical comedy in the guise of a murder mystery about Parisian show-biz lowlife. Bernard Blier plays a loser-ish musician (who looks like, in the words of one critic, "a homicidal Bob Newhart") who is crazily jealous about his hotsy-totsy wife, the night-club singer Jenny Lamour. When she threatens to hook up with millionaire Brignon (the amazingly repellent Charles Dullin), mayhem ensues. Blier and wife are aided by their neighbor, the smut photographer Dora (who has a "masculine aspect" to her, if you get my drift) but the police are called, in the person of Louis Jouvet's magnificently dour detective. The film explores the raffish milieu of low-rent entertainment of the 1940's with great style. Clouzot retains his unique combination of satire and sentiment about equivocal human nature that is also found in his other masterpieces, "The Wages of Fear", "Diabolique" and "Le Corbeau." This is a most entertaining movie.

FABULOUS FRENCH NOIR
The first time I saw QUAI DES ORFEVRES (Criterion), I was hooked within minutes. I saw it again with some friends, who said they didn't want to see a foreign film and have to read subtitles, but they too were riveted almost immediately. This noirish French crime story directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot captures the feel of 1940s Paris at night -- the back alleys and smokey cabarets -- better than any film I can think of. But more than that, it reveals the unexpected human behavior that revolves around a possessive husband, a sexy night club singer, a best girlfriend photographer, a murdered lecherous movie producer and the persistent investigation of a weary police inspector. This terrific film is full of surprises and my favorite of this week's picks. (The title "Quai des Orfevres" is the French equivalent to England's Scotland Yard.) Highest recommended. ... Read more