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DIRECTOR: Pierre Chenal (Crime & Punishment)
STARS: Charles Vanel (Wages of Fear, To Catch a Thief), Michel Piccoli (Trio Infernal, Themroc), Bella Darvi (Hell and High Water), Danik Patisson (Playgirl After Dark)
SYNOPSIS: This forgotten French film has touches of noir but is mostly a straightforward crime film. A legendary criminal (Vanel) breaks out of a hospital while under guard and kills a policeman. He goes into hiding as public enemy number one. A young Michel Piccoli stars as the hotshot detective determined to catch Vanel (the man he killed was Piccoli’s partner). Piccoli’s new partner has a sexy fiance and he wastes no time hitting on her — surprisingly she falls for him (at least for some afternoon delight). Piccoli is good at using snitches, lies and threats to get information. The movie goes back and forth from Venal trying to stay free and Piccoli closing in. There’s some mild nudity, a bunch of action scenes and a memorable finale. A large part of the film takes place in bars, nightclubs and strip joints. For a movie made in 1958 this is cynical, dark stuff and the sleaze on display is pretty convincing too. Fans of lost crime / noir will enjoy this one. Michel Legrand provides the score. In French language with English subtitles.
Fullscreen / Black & White
Region Free / Code Free DVD-R
DIRECTOR: Pierre Chenal (Crime & Punishment)
STARS: Charles Vanel (Wages of Fear, To Catch a Thief), Michel Piccoli (Trio Infernal, Themroc), Bella Darvi (Hell and High Water), Danik Patisson (Playgirl After Dark)
SYNOPSIS: This forgotten French film has touches of noir but is mostly a straightforward crime film. A legendary criminal (Vanel) breaks out of a hospital while under guard and kills a policeman. He goes into hiding as public enemy number one. A young Michel Piccoli stars as the hotshot detective determined to catch Vanel (the man he killed was Piccoli’s partner). Piccoli’s new partner has a sexy fiance and he wastes no time hitting on her — surprisingly she falls for him (at least for some afternoon delight). Piccoli is good at using snitches, lies and threats to get information. The movie goes back and forth from Venal trying to stay free and Piccoli closing in. There’s some mild nudity, a bunch of action scenes and a memorable finale. A large part of the film takes place in bars, nightclubs and strip joints. For a movie made in 1958 this is cynical, dark stuff and the sleaze on display is pretty convincing too. Fans of lost crime / noir will enjoy this one. Michel Legrand provides the score. In French language with English subtitles.
Fullscreen / Black & White
Region Free / Code Free DVD-R