The Red Circle – “There are no innocents. Men are guilty. They are born innocent, but it doesn’t last”

“Still as dumb in the police”

A hoodlum escapes police surveillance and hides in the trunk of a former detainee. They team up to execute a jewelry heist.

The virtuosity of the central sequence (the heist) is extraordinary, as the director films with precision and silence (no dialogue, no music). The outstanding performance by Bourvil, overcoming illness alongside his numerous cats, proves he should not have been confined to primarily comedic roles despite some notable exceptions. However, the film feels overly languid, making it seem interminable; the characters' personalities are never developed, and the ending is excessively abrupt. In short, a work that didn’t bore me but didn’t fully captivate me either.

The Gang – “It’s still stupid to buy junk when you can swipe it”

Heroes of the Resistance transition into grand banditry.

The focus is more on the camaraderie and joyful moments between the thieves than on their crimes, serving as a sort of panegyric to delinquency. Indeed, the film exudes a certain cheerfulness, tempered (SPOILER ALERT) by a tragic final act. Alain Delon is impeccable in this role as a quirky thief with an absurdly styled wig. However, not everything is believable—for instance, the association between former collaborators and heroes of the resistance against Nazi occupation.

The Killers of San Francisco – “Between brothers, nothing fades”

“I love playing with little girls”

Eddie enjoys a carefree life, but his brother proposes a brilliant heist.

The film follows the great tradition of American noir, with a perfect balance of tension and a deliciously dark atmosphere. The plot is excellently crafted, with plenty of twists and turns. However, Ann Margret spends most of her screen time screaming. In summary, a brilliant crime drama.