La Femme et le Pantin

Directed by Julien Duvivier, this 1959 French-Italian co-production is the fourth screen version of Pierre Louÿs's 1898 novel The Woman and the Puppet. The drama unfolds in Spain, where Matteo Diaz, an affluent man of advancing years, becomes consumed by his passion for Eva, a young dancer who is the daughter of the former writer Stanislas. Eva, portrayed by Brigitte Bardot, gives him no encouragement at first; fully aware of her own allure, she lets the infatuated man suffer. Matteo sets aside his dignity and gives up everything for her until she finally surrenders to his love. António Vilar plays Matteo and Lila Kedrova appears as Manuela, supported by Darío Moreno, Jess Hahn and Dominique Zardi. Shown in Britain and the Philippines as A Woman Like Satan, the picture cast Bardot in a part that closely mirrored her femme fatale reputation of the era.