In the aftermath of a gold robbery, a retired mobster (Jean Gabin) is drawn back into the criminal underworld to rescue an old friend who has been kidnapped and held for ransom. Formerly an assistant to Jean Renoir, director Jacques Becker was responsible for some of the greatest films of ‘classical’ French cinema. This taut, tough gangster film reinvigorated star Jean Gabin’s career and set the pattern of the genre for the next few decades.
Start Time: This screening will not feature ads and trailers, and will feature a short introduction from season tutor Dr Sheldon Hall.
Film Studies - The Real Film Noir: French Crime Cinema
This course looks at four key examples of French crime cinema, each from a different decade, to examine the characteristics and creative achievements of the genre and how it changed over the years.
Director Jacques Becker
Year 1954
Duration
1h 32m
Language French with English subtitles
Cast Jean Gabin, René Dary, Dora Doll