#447: MELVILLE, Jean-Pierre: Le Doulos (1962)

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MELVILLE, Jean-Pierre (France)
Le Doulos [1962]
Spine #447
DVD
OOP


The backstabbing criminals in the shadowy underworld of Jean-Pierre Melville's Le doulos have only one guiding principle: "Lie or die." A stone-faced Jean-Paul Belmondo stars as enigmatic gangster Silien, who may or may not be responsible for squealing on Faugel (Serge Reggiani), just released from the slammer and already involved in what should have been a simple heist. By the end of this brutal, twisting, and multilayered policier, who will be left to trust? Shot and edited with Melville's trademark cool and featuring masterfully stylized dialogue and performances, Le doulos (slang for "informant") is one of the filmmaker's most gripping crime dramas.

109 minutes
Black & White
Monaural
in French
1:66:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2008
Director/Writers


From the novel by Pierre Lesou.

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Eight-page wraparound featuring an essay by Glenn Kenny.

Commentary

Selected-scene audio commentary by film scholar Ginette Vincendeau, author of Jean-Pierre Melville: An American in Paris.

Video interviews

With directors Volker Schlöndorff and Bertrand Tavernier, who served as assistant director and publicity agent, respectively, on the film.
Archival interviews

With Melville and actors Belmondo and Reggiani.
Original theatrical trailer

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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