Le Samouraï (1967)
"Le samouraï" (original title)

Things suddenly go badly for a successful French assassin.

Director:

Jean-Pierre Melville

Writers:

Jean-Pierre Melville, Georges Pellegrin,

Stars:

Alain Delon, François Périer, Nathalie Delon

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alain Delon	...	Jef Costello
François Périer	...	The Superintendant
Nathalie Delon	...	Jane Lagrange
Cathy Rosier	...	Valérie, la pianiste (as Caty Rosier)
Jacques Leroy	...	Gunman
Michel Boisrond	...	Wiener
Robert Favart	...	Barkeeper
Jean-Pierre Posier	...	Olivier Rey
Catherine Jourdan	...	Hatcheck Girl
Roger Fradet	...	1st inspector
Carlo Nell	...	2nd inspector
Robert Rondo	...	3d inspector
André Salgues	...	Garage keeper
André Thorent	...	Policeman / cab driver
Jacques Deschamps	...	Policeman

Storyline

Hitman Jef Costello is a perfectionist who always carefully plans his murders and who never gets caught. One night however, after killing a night-club owner, he's seen by witnesses. His efforts to provide himself with an alibi fail and more and more he gets driven into a corner.

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Plot Keywords:

french | murder | assassin | alibi | hitman | 

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Taglines:

De kaldte ham Samoraien - den ensomme morder

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

France Italy

Language:

French

Release Date:

25 October 1967 (France)

Also Known As:

The Godson

Filming Locations:

11 Boulevard de l'Amiral Bruix, Paris 16, Paris, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$39,481 (USA) (28 February 1997)

Gross:

$39,481 (USA) (28 February 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Compagnie Industrielle et Commerciale Cinématographique (CICC), Fida Cinematografica, Filmel

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to Rui Nogueira (author of the book "Melville on Melville" published in 1976), the caged bird shown as Jef Costello's pet in "Le Samourai" was the only casualty of the fire that destroyed Melville's studio in 1967.

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Goofs

(at around 40 mins) Jef exits a taxi in the pouring rain, but a clear blue sky can be seen reflected in a foreground car hood and bright sunlight on background buildings.

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Quotes

Jeff Costello: Why say you did not recognize me?
Valérie: Why kill Marty?
Jeff Costello: I was to be paid.
Valérie: What had he done to you?
Jeff Costello: Not a thing. I didn't know him. I met him for the first and last time 24 hours ago.
[pause]
Valérie: What sort of man are you?

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Connections

Referenced in The Mating Habits of the Earthbound Human (1999)

User Reviews

The cinematic embodiment of 'Cool'

Jean-Pierre Melville's Le Samourai is the cinematic embodiment of cool. This film is unlike any Hollywood action treatment of a hitman in that it every single movement is treated like a precious gemstone. Alain Delon plays a double crossed assasin who stays one step ahead of the law in what becomes a very smart cat and mouse plot. Delon's character could very well have influenced the loner action hero of the 70's and 80's. Every single movement he makes is done with a cold calculated precision; the way he puts on his hat, smokes a cigarette, and handles a gun. He makes The Fonz look like Roger Rabbit. Dialogue isn't even necessary for a lot of the story. Melville is smart enough to know that movies are about images. The story unfolds in compelling scene after compelling scene. There is also quite a fair bit of sly humour too. Entertaining on many levels. See this!