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| Le Cercle Rouge
Year: 1970
Classification: Foreign Film - French
Actors/Actresses:
- Alain Delon
- Bourvil
- Gian Maria Volonté
Apotheosis of the great French existential crime pictures
Jean-Pierre Melville, in many ways, shares some of the brooding BR>and fatalistic tendencies of his colleagues Marcel Carne (Jour SeBR>Leve, 1939) and Henri-Georges Clouzot (Quai des Orfevres, 1947).BR>Yet Melville's ethos is one which, unlike theirs, often delineates character almost entirely through action and gesture.BR>This makes for compelling viewing, particularly in the case of Melville's late, exquisitely crafted thrillers "Le Samourai" (1967), "Un Flic" (1971), and of course "Le Cercle Rouge" (1970).BR>A picture of this quality deserves the success it had in limited theatrical runs during the Stateside reissue this past Spring;BR>Criterion has done a marvellous job with it. I can only encourage anyone with a taste for the sheer visceral pull ofBR>a great film to spend two evenings with the disc: one withBR>the picture itself, and another to view the special featuresBR>on the second disc, many of which are documentary materials thatBR>give a wonderful glimpse of the modest, self-effacing director'sBR>M.O. Another winner from Criterion, which I would give ten stars if I could. Let's hope for "Le Samourai" next!
BUDDHIST NOIR?
"When men, even unknowingly, are to meet one day, whatever their diverging paths, they will inevitably come together in the red circle."
I have no idea what the Buddha quote in the film's title sequence really means, but Jean-Pierre Melville's LE CERCLE ROUGE (Criterion) is a superb, cool, meticulous, existential (Buddhist?) masterpiece of crime cinema about a tight-lipped thief (Alain Delon) and an escaped prisoner (Gian Maria Volonte) who fatefully cross paths (predestination?) and join a fallen ex-cop (Yves Montand) to pull off a dangerous jewel heist. All the time relentlessly pursued by an driven police inspector (André Bourvil). Thus great looking director's cut restores 40 minutes and features tons of extras.
One of the finest achievemenst of Melville!
Tauting , provocative and sugestive thriller ; this monumental work still hasn't received the important place it deserves widely.BR>The script turns around three men linked by the faustic fate . Delon joins with an unknown ex convict and an alcoholic ex cop.BR>The premise is extremely interesting ; don't forget the film noir still lives in France and from time to time it makes feel itself.BR>The sequence of the robbery is a warmth homagge to Rififi ; Melville was so meticulous that almost kept the equal timing than that one .BR>Jean Pierre Melville has been called the most american of the french film makers and the most french of the american film makers . BR>But, far the bitterness hidden behind those adjectives ; Melville made in 1970 a great contribution for the film noir . He's a gifted director . Bob le flambeur , and L'arme des sombres are two important films that prove widely he's a fine film maker and his concerns turn around the great challenges ; no matter the moral of your action ; you feel passion aroun the human beings who are involved in the mission.BR>This film will reward you always . A winner film!
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