Clouzot, Henri-Georges

Henri-Georges Clouzot ( November 20, 1907 - January 12, 1977 )

Henri-Georges Clouzot (1907-1977) is one of the great European filmmakers.

He started his career in film as a critic, but soon moved on to work as a scriptwriter. during the 30s he lived in Berlin and wrote screenplays for several German films.

His second feature film as director (RAVEN from 1943), read as an indictment of the French national character, made him known to a greater audience.

His crime films QUAI DES ORFEVRÉS (1947) and LES DIABOLIQUES (1955) are considered classics.

He also made a documentary about Picasso, called LE MYSTÉRE PICASSO, in 1956. THE WAGES OF FEAR is his most well-known film.

“Acclaimed in particular for his thrillers, Clouzot was one of the genuine rivals to Alfred Hitchcock, whose internationally acclaimed films 'The Wages of Fear' and 'Diabolique' are still listed among the best thrillers of Cinema.”  -- Mubi

After a decade as a screenwriter, Clouzot made his directorial debut in 1942. His next film, 'Le Corbeau' (The Raven) had the distinction of being banned both by the Nazis and the victorious French forces for differing reasons.

He shot to international fame with 'The Wages of Fear' and consolidated that success with 'Les Diaboliques', but continuous ill-health caused large gaps in his output, and several projects had to be abandoned (though one, 'L'Enfer', was subsequently filmed by Claude Chabrol).

His films are typically relentless suspense thrillers, similar to Hitchcock's, but with far less light relief.

1956   The Mystery of Picasso - Le mystère Picasso (1956)
1955   Diabolique - Les Diaboliques (1955)
1953   The Wages of Fear - Le Salaire de la peur (1953)
1947   Quai des Orfèvres (1947)
1943   The Raven - Le corbeau (1943)