Movie of the Week – Le Cercle Rouge

This week’s movie: Le Cercle Rouge (1970)

Corey is an aristocratic thief who is released from prison with a plan in hand to pull off the biggest jewel heist of his career. Meanwhile, a murder named Vogel escapes police custody and is on the run. He crosses paths with Corey and the two become friends. Corey decides to bring him in on the heist. They recruit a third man: Jansen, a former police sharpshooter who has fallen on hard times. Corey also robbed his former mob boss, Rico, as soon as he was released from prison because he believes he is owed composition for taking the rap for the gang during a prior job. Now, Rico is looking for revenge, even working with the cops to get Corey. And on top of everything, their targeted jewel shop has the most advanced security system in Paris. Can they pull off the theist against these odds?

Le Cercle Rouge is written and directed by French auteur Jean-Pierre Melville, who also made the brilliant and stylish films Le Samurai and Army of Shadows. He works with composer Eric Demarsan, cinematographer Henri Decae, and production designer Theobald Meurisse.

The film stars Alain Delon, Bourvil, Gian Maria Volonte, and Yves Montand.

With Le Samurai and actor Alain Delon, Melville created the epitome of cool. The team achieves this again with Le Cercle Rouge. The film is incredibly stylish and just sparkles with ‘cool’, paving the way for modern heist films featuring smooth operators like The Sting, Heat, and Ocean’s Eleven, while taking its inspiration for Rififi. Melville also does something very interesting with the genre, playing into his own style – the film is almost a silent film as there is almost no dialog in a genre often defined by fast, witty repartee. Like Le Samurai and Army of Shadows, Melville creates a cold, sparse world. It is a must-see for fans of heist films as it is one of the best (and usually forgotten). On a side note, the heist takes place in one of my favorite parts of Paris, Place Vendome, a square that always wows me with its style, opulence and yet simplicity.

Trailer: Here

Available on: Blu-ray

Movie of the Week – The Wages of Fear

This week’s movie: The Wages of Fear (1953).

In a decrepit South American village, foreigners who came seeking riches find themselves stranded with no money, no prospects, and no way home. That is until they are offered a job. A company urgently needs a shipment of nitroglycerine to be transported across country to implode a burning oil well, but they do not have the proper safety equipment. Thus, this is a suicide job, but also maybe the only way any of these men will ever make enough money to get home.

The thriller is written and directed by French auteur Henri-Georges Clouzot (who is also responsible for one of the great horror mysteries of all-time: Diabolique). He worked with composer Georges Auric, cinematographer Armand Thirard (a frequent collaborator), and art director Rene Renoux on the film.

The film features a great ensemble cast including: Yves Montand, Charles Vanel, Folco Lulli, Peter van Eyck, Vera Clouzot, and William Tubbs.

The Wages of Fear is one of cinema’s greatest thrillers (making my list of the Top 100 Films of the 20^th Century). It is a nerve-racking experience that grips its viewer throughout. But also, it is a fantastic character drama, exploring the best and worst that man is capable of. It is a must-see for fans of classic cinema and brilliant thrillers.

Trailer: Here

Available on: Blu-ray and Video On-Demand