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(out of 5)
Jean Gabin gives a wise and worldly performance in this excellent gangster film by Jacques Becker (Le Trou). He plays an aging mobster who has recently made off with a huge payload of gold bullion and is planning to retire on it. Unfortunately, his partner decides to blab about their take and ends up getting himself kidnapped by a rival criminal, who only agrees to let the man go if Gabin shows up with the gold and gives it to him. Jeanne Moreau has a small but wonderful role as the money-hungry moll who’s looking to improve her own station, but it is entirely Gabin’s show and he’s marvelous in it. Becker’s screenplay is witty and involving, his direction mesmerizing and the glinting black-and-white photography gorgeous.
Directed by Jacques Becker
Adaptation by Jacques Becker, Albert Simonin, Maurice Griffe, Dialogue by Albert Simonin, based on the novel by Albert Simonin
Cinematography by Pierre Montazel
Produced by Robert Dorfmann
Music by Jean Wiener
Production Design by Jean d’Eaubonne
Costume Design by Marcelle Desvignes
Film Editing by Marguerite Renoir
Film Festivals: Venice 1954
Cast Tags: Alain Bouvette, Angelo Dessy, Daniel Cauchy,Delia Scala, Denise Clair,Dora Doll, Gaby Basset, Jean Gabin,Jean Riveyre, Jeanne Moreau,Lino Ventura, Lucilla Solivani, Marilyn Buferd, Michel Jourdan, Paul Barge, Paul Frankeur, Paul Oettly, René Dary, Silvestri, Vittorio Sanipoli
Venice Film Festival Award
Best Actor (Jean Gabin)
