Rent Le Samouraï (1967)

Superb French Classic - Le Samouraï review by RD

Just about everything in this film is done to perfection. From the opening titles showing M. Delon relaxing on a bed in his apartment, smoking, in a shot that could be cut and printed as a piece of art, the photography is exemplary. The transcription to Blu Ray is also excellent with pin sharp focus in all scenes.

M Delon exudes class as the hired killer, looking stylish at all times. Very little dialogue is used in the film, it depends on skilfull cinematography to tell the story and maintains the classic atmosphere.

The story concerns the police investigation after a killing of a nightclub owner. The police follow the killer, and the chases are beautifully shot and edited with just the right amount of pace.

This is a film not to be missed.

Going to Night-Clubs in 1960s Paris, Always a Bit Dodgy - Le Samouraï review by The REAL Film Cricket

If you are ever wondering what a good example of style over substance would be, then Le Samourai would be it. I don’t mean this in a derogatory manner either because it is clear the film, the script/screenplay, the acting was first and foremost meant to project, promote if you like, a style of film, a mood, something that would make you say ‘Ah it’s one of those movies’ and it worked beyond all expectations.

Jean-Pierre Melville allows scenes to sit in silence before his protagonists do anything; his main one played by the handsome Delon, hardly speaks for the first third of the film and hardly for the rest. This is a risk and went against the grain of most films of the time and since to be honest. Basil Exposition was clearly not born at the time Le Samourai was made and those watching it have to concentrate, figure out what is going on, all the while no one on screen explains it to them. For me, this is nirvana.

Another great point made by Melville’s story, clearly, he was influenced by the noir of the 40s and 50s from the USA, is no one is likeable, no one is a hero. Jo Costello, played with relish, but not showy relish, by Delon, does not really have friends, male or female, uses people for his own ends and kills people for money. The police, clearly hardworking, are not beyond prodding people and doing ‘favours’ to get their way.

There are some clearly stupid things done by characters and although some might think it is a fault of the screenplay, I have a feeling that Melville and his fellow writers, Joan McLeod and Georges Pellegrin, made Costello do foolish things that made the audience go ‘huh?’ Perfect in my mind.

But as I have stated, the story is not the important part, it is the style, the look and the feel of La Samourai that is important. Melville clearly had his influences but just one viewing of this film and you can reel off at least hundreds of well-known later films that have lifted characters, looks, even plot-points from this French/Italian crime-noir. Many famous and talented directors directly reference the film when interviewed or through their own work.

I was particularly enamoured with Nathalie Delon’s character, Jane, who provided the false alibi for her husband’s, at the time, character being strong and tough in front of provocation and lies, realising they were lies. This film was made in 1967, remember. Some directors could do with watching Le Samourai to see how a ‘lady of the night’ can still be a character in a story without resorting to the stereotypical norms.

François Périer the opposite side of the same coin as Alan Delon’s character is equally as good, seemingly professional and on top of the case, he realises that Costello is the murderer and will do anything to collar him, bending the rules as he sees fit, all the while presenting a professional and clean-cut visage.

I have to say I love seeing the well-shot and grubby cinematography in Paris too, not romanticism here.

Le Samourai is an immensely popular and loved film from the minute it turned up on the screens in the 1960s until now. Does it have problems or faults? Sure, the story is not the greatest, the mistakes professional hitman played by Delon makes are laughable bad, characters are flat and are what they are on the screen, you can’t imagine them having a life leading to the film’s story and in particular the final scene is both implausible and at odds with the preceding build up.

But, and it is a big but, did I like Le Samourai? Yes, I did, just looking at Paris from fifty-eight years ago made me smile, both Delons cheered me up and so many scenes made me chuckle ironically. It was great, and even if it does not sound like the sort of film you think you like or normally watch, I recommend watching this at least once before you go to the last nightclub we all go to

Classic French Thriller - Le Samouraï review by GI

A surprisingly influential film among other filmmakers with many citing it as one of their favourite films including the likes of Martin Scorsese. It's possibly the first real depiction of the professional assassin as a cool, laconic character which has been much utilised since in films such as The Killer (2023) and Ghost Dog: The Way Of The Samurai (1999), the latter being almost a remake. The hitman as a dedicated professional devoid of apparent emotional ties can be found in other films e.g. Collateral (2004) and so viewing Le Samouraï today it's easy to make more contemporary comparisons. Alain Delon, in one of his most famous roles plays the contract killer Jef. He's been hired to kill a club owner and carries out the hit but is unfortunately seen by some witnesses. But Jef has arranged his alibi very carefully and so when picked up by the police is able to quickly get himself released. Unfortunately for him he still has a worried employer out to kill him and a police detective who is convinced he's their killer. The narrative is a sort of cat and mouse scenario with police surveillance through Paris and especially the Metro (these are very reminiscent of the surveillance scenes that William Friedkin utilised in his 1971 The French Connection), the underworld's own killer is lurking around and Jef has to take action. It's a moody, atmospheric film, a modern crime thriller that is quintessential European in style and which would come to influence the American New wave directors that were soon to hit the mainstream. An interesting film when viewed today and certainly one film fans should ensure they check out.