Les Diaboliques (French pronunciation: [le djablik], The Devils), also known as The Fiends or Diabolique, is a 1955 black and white French suspense film directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot, starring Simone Signoret, Vera Clouzot and Paul Meurisse. It was based on the novelCelle qui n'etait plus (She Who Was No More) by Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac. The story blends elements of thriller and horror, with the plot focusing on a woman and her husband's mistress who conspire to murder the man; after the crime is committed, however, his body disappears, and a number of strange occurrences ensue.
It is said that Clouzot, right after finishing Wages of Fear snatched the screenplay rights from master of suspense director, Alfred Hitchcock. It is also said that this movie helped inspire Hitchcock's Psycho.[citation needed] Robert Bloch himself, the author of novel Psycho, has stated in interviews that his all-time favorite horror film is Diaboliques.
Now considered a classic of the horror genre and film in general, Les Diaboliques ranked #49 on Bravo's 100 Scariest Movie Moments. (wiki)
