Movie's ratings

    14

    " Things suddenly go badly for a successful French assassin"
    Country
    Runtime 1 hr 45 min
    Premiere: World $330 053 October 25, 1967
    USA $216 696
    Other countries $113 357
    Premiere: USA $216 696 July 12, 1972
    first weekend $14 899
    theaters 21
    rollout 226 days
    Digital: World July 14, 2015
    Production Companies Compagnie Industrielle et Commerciale Cinématographique (CICC)Fida CinematograficaFilmel...T.C. Productions
    Also Known As
    El samurai United States

    Description

    After professional hitman Jef Costello is seen by witnesses his efforts to provide himself an alibi drive him further into a corner.

    Сast and Crew

    Production

    Meville wrote the film for Delon. This was the first film for Delon's wife, Nathalie Delon. He filed for divorce after the film ended production; it became official in February 1969 and she was granted custody of their son, Anthony. François Périer, who played the police inspector, was a comedian cast against type. Melville's private film studio, Studio Jenner, was destroyed by fire while Le Samouraï was shooting early in July 1967. Melville, who termed the blaze "suspicious", moved the production to another studio.

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    Friends comments and ratings

    The founder of neo-noir and one of the first films to raise the theme of the existential loneliness of a hired killer. All this in a hodgepodge, seasoned with Eastern samurai philosophy and American noir of the 40s. Cool soundtrack. Masterpiece direction by Melville. Brilliant Delon. Translated to English

    Yeah, not bad. But you know that giving a movie about Inspector Gadget a cool title doesn’t make it cult. Or… Translated to English

    Watched

    About a devastated and very lonely man whose only attachment is a small canary. Delon is impeccable, as is the film itself. Translated to English

    It seems to me that the film is overrated, in the sense that "The Red Circle" is not uttered when describing the name Melville or Delon. They always remember "Samurai", which, it seems to me, is not entirely fair. Delon is flawless in his role. Nine hand does not turn to put. 10 out of 10 (masterpiece Translated to English

    Watched

    A very balanced film that, despite the slowness of the narrative, manages to hold the viewer’s attention. Plus absolutely brilliant acting by Alain Delon. Translated to English

    Watched

    Wow… Jef Costello is literally me.

    Watched

    In recent times, this is my least talking film where people talk all the time. Everything here is clear and simple to understand. I give the maximum for idealization of plans. Translated to English

    Watched

    A classic of French cinema. A minimalistic film without unnecessary words or movements, which influenced many neo-noir works of Hollywood. Hagakure – "live as if you were already dead", Alain Delon demonstrated this perfectly. Translated to English

    Watched

    Welcome to the imaginary world of introverted dreamers, access only by passes. A touching Melville detail, noticed only on re-watching: going to his death, Delon takes off his hat and does not take a number. For Melville’s heroes, a hat is a vital organ. Translated to English

    A classic French polar with a young and beautiful Delon, who is laconic on screen and under Melville’s direction amazingly shows all the emptiness, the absence of a future and the hopeless loneliness of the main character. And against this background, there is also the main plot about the confrontation with the police. Translated to English

    Watched

    A very masculine film – dry, prickly, cold and aesthetically perfect, which is hard to fall in love with, but which is hard not to watch to the end. Despite the measured, meditative rhythm, director Melville skillfully creates suspense and keeps you in suspense. Translated to English

    A lone killer. Alain Delon in a textbook image. A person existing in this world according to certain principles is driven into a corner. Brilliant game. Films like this never get old. 9/10 Translated to English

    Watched

    A film in which form completely dominates the plot; as if created to become a cult classic in narrow circles, and ended up influencing many directors, including very recently (hello Fincher). Translated to English

    Watched

    A cold, stylish film-character – just like Delon’s character, in whose frozen gaze there is not just fatalism, but doom. Readiness for death is what makes him similar to a samurai. As a signature scene, Melville offers a chase in the subway, and the tricks are long, dialogue-free scenes. Translated to English