Alain Delon plays a master thief, fresh out of prison, who crosses paths with a notorious escapee (Gian Maria Volontè) and an alcoholic ex-cop (Yves Montand). The unlikely trio plot a heist, against impossible odds, until a relentless inspector and their own pasts seal their fates. With its honourable antiheroes, coolly atmospheric cinematography, and breathtaking set pieces, Le cercle rouge is the quintessential film by Jean-Pierre Melville – the master of ambiguous, introspective crime cinema.
A 100 Years Investigating Sherlock; a 100 Years Investigating Cinema
Jean-Pierre Melville
The Stetson-wearing godfather of the French crime film, Jean-Pierre Melville has a very particular reputation as a tough-guy purveyor of genre cinema. His macho gangster films of the 1960s and 70s often met with huge commercial success, but detractors were never far behind. Some said he was all style and no substance, a copycat artist stealing from an American genre. But while it’s true that he adored classic Hollywood crime movies, his work went far beyond mere imitation. Melville’s exacting frames, cool-toned hues and alienated male protagonists built a murky philosophical world around the gestures of criminality.
in French
with English and Hungarian subtitles
Army of Shadows, 1969
Le Samouraï, 1967
Bob le Flambeur, 1956
Director: Jean-Pierre Melville
Cast: Alain Delon, Bourvil, Gian Maria Volonté, Yves Montand, François Périer, Paul Crauchet, André Ekyan, Paul Amiot
Cinematography: Henri Decaë
Screenwriter: Jean-Pierre Melville
Producer: Robert Dorfmann
Editor: Jean-Pierre Melville, Marie-Sophie Dubus
Music: Éric Demarsan
Hungarian Distributor: -
Colour: colour
Run time: 140 min
