Les Diaboliques (The Devils)

Stunningly good, all time great, horror/ suspense from H.G Clouzot. Hitchcock wanted the script, but had to settle for 'Vertigo'.
The film is a real shocker. The horror is gripping, suffocating, tantalising. Intellectually, it leaves one constantly asking what is happening, constantly on the edge for the next scene, confused and gripped. It is acted beautifully, shot in a fine and largely unobtrusive manner. Some of the scenes towards the end are so threatening/suspenseful as to make one almost explode, and the final scenes....well, well, well.
How does it compare to 'Vertigo'. It is more directly exciting/ pulse-racing. The story is sharper, and probably better told. 'Vertigo' perhaps has more of a sense of sadness about it, and can be interpreted as more than just a horror. Les Diaboliques can also be read psychologically, but in the directionality of the script is more straightforward. As far as shooting, they aren't that dissimilar except for the wonderful colourations of 'Vertigo'.
In Les Diaboliques the acting is tremendous, completely on the money. Frankly, we could hardly keep ourselves concentrating on the beauty of the shots, but the mis-en-scene is masterfully put together.
A shockingly good, and a shocking film. One of the finest horrors, one of the finest suspense films, one of the queerest, oddest, most disturbing run-times we have seen in many a while. More than recommended, it achieves a rare standard of excellence.