Touchez pas au grisbi (1954)

Director:

Jacques Becker

Writers:

Albert Simonin (novel) &
Jacques Becker (adaptation) ...

Release Date:

1960 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Thriller

Plot:

An aging, world-weary gangster is double-crossed and forced out of retirement when his best friend is kidnapped and their stash of eight stolen gold bars demanded as ransom.

Plot Keywords:

Rival | Gold Bar | Gold | Gangster | Retirement

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Jean Gabin	...	Max
René Dary	...	Henri "Riton" Ducros
Dora Doll	...	Lola
Vittorio Sanipoli	...	Ramon
Marilyn Buferd	...	Betty (as Marilyn Bufferd)
Gaby Basset	...	Marinette
Paul Barge	...	Eugène (as Barge)
Alain Bouvette	...	Le chauffeur de taxi (as Bouvette)
Daniel Cauchy	...	Fifi
Denise Clair	...	Madame Bouche
Angelo Dessy	...	Bastien
Lucilla Solivani	...	Nana, la secrétaire de Pierrot
Michel Jourdan	...	Marco
Paul Oettly	...	Oscar
Jean Riveyre	...	Le portier de l'hôtel Moderna

Also Known As:

Grisbì (Italy)
Grisbi (USA)
Hands Off the Loot

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

France | Italy

Language:

French

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

West Germany:18 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | Argentina:16

Filming Locations:

Billancourt Studios - 50 Quai du Pont-du-Jour, Paris 16, Paris, France

Company:

Del Duca Films

Trivia:

Italian censorship visa #17225 delivered on 19 September 1954.

Quotes:

Fifi: [after being thrown out of the car] You leaving me here? How am I gonna get back?
Max: [laconically] Try hunting snails, Daddy-o.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Les tontons flingueurs (1963)

A "grisbi" all of its own, ahaha!

There's nothing exceptionally profound about the story to "Touchez pas au grisbi", one of Jacques Becker's later films -- but it sets up tons of film archetypes and patterns that later French Noir would emulate. Jean Gabin plays Max, an aging criminal set to retire with his friend, Ritan, when they're pushed into a state of paranoia by younger gangsters moving in on their retirement loot (their "grisbi").

The film is not overtly flashy, but Max is one bad dude, expressed by the way he commands universal respect from his peers, patrons and the younger ladies who surround him. In fact, his musky appeal is hilarious in contrast with his romantically bumbling partner, as is the way he overtly womanizes (notice that none of the women in this film are wearing a bra!).

There are only a handful of sets to the film, and a few outdoor scenes. The action happens suddenly and violently, which makes it much more jarring, and the themes of brotherly loyalty are expressed as both frustrating and endearing bonds, but with more nuanced definition than you might expect from such a straight-forward film. And to boot, there are some recognizable classic talents in this film, including Lino Ventura and Jeanne Moreau.

While not explosive and over-the-top, the story, set-up and exposition of the gangster code are all the result of top-notch cinematic craftsmanship. The music is minimalist, the camera-work is easy on the eyes, and the characters are fun to watch. Half-goofily endearing and half-starkly serious, but mostly brilliant, Touchez pas au grisbi is a lot of fun.