The wife and mistress of a loathed school principal plan to murder him with what they believe is the perfect alibi.The wife and mistress of a loathed school principal plan to murder him with what they believe is the perfect alibi.The wife and mistress of a loathed school principal plan to murder him with what they believe is the perfect alibi.
- Awards
- 5 wins
Véra Clouzot
- Christina Delassalle
- (as Vera Clouzot)
Camille Guérini
- Le photographe
- (as Camille Guerini)
Jean Témerson
- Le garçon d'hôtel
- (as Jean Temerson)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAfter director Henri-Georges Clouzot bought the film rights to the original novel, he reportedly beat Alfred Hitchcock by only a matter of hours.
- GoofsWhen the young student is punished for saying he saw the principal, who is missing, he is told to go stand in the corner. He walks to the right of the steps leading to a doorway and stands facing the wall. Later, when he is told his punishment is revoked, he is seen standing to the left of the steps.
- Quotes
Plantiveau, le concierge: Watch out, ma'am. That's the deep part where you are.
Christina Delassalle: There is no danger. I can swim.
Plantiveau, le concierge: That don't mean a thing. It's always the ones who know how that get drowned. The ones who can't, don't go near the pool.
- Crazy creditsThe movie ends with a text screen commenting on what the viewer has witnessed, and a request not to spoil the ending for those who are planning to see the movie.
- Alternate versionsUSA release in 1955 ran 107 minutes rather than 116 minutes.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Siskel & Ebert: What's Wrong with Home Video (1988)
Featured review
Are you alone? good. Have you turned off the lights? good.Is there a storm brewing in that dark foreboding sky?Excellent. Do you like brilliant black and white movies? Wonderful.Now, sit back and enjoy the best of the best. This is quite simply the best psychological thriller ever made.Often imitated but never bettered. If you have a problem with subtitled films then don't worry because you will understand this film without reading them. If you want slash and gore, go elsewhere.If you want sophisticated entertainment,you've come to the right place.Georges Cluzot's finest work is a thing of beauty as is his wife Vera, who stars opposite Simone Signoret as the schoolmaster's wife.From the very start it is very clear that all is not as it seems. But why? and who? What is the terrible secret of the swimming pool and later on, the bathtub? As the tension builds to an unbearable climax, we sit and hide behind our hands, peering through the gaps in our fingers.Oh my God!! it can't be!.....it is! Do not confuse this movie with the disgraceful remake starring Sharon Stone. All copies of that disaster should be burned. Watch this movie if you are a serious film buff. Rent something else if you have the attention span of a goldfish.Brilliant. 10/10
- terraplane
- Jul 5, 2003
- Permalink
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Languages
- Also known as
- The Devils
- Filming locations
- Château de L'Étang-la-Ville, 8 Rue de Fonton, L'Étang-la-Ville, Yvelines, France(doubling for the Delasalle private school)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $12,498
- Runtime1 hour 57 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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