Le voyou (1970)

Director:

Claude Lelouch

Writers:

Claude Lelouch (story)
Claude Lelouch (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

20 November 1970 (France)

Genre:

Crime | Thriller

Plot:

Story about an incurable thief, his success and his failures. |

Plot Keywords:

Escape | Kidnapping

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Jean-Louis Trintignant	...	Simon Duroc dit 'le Suisse'
Danièle Delorme	...	Janine
Charles Gérard	...	Charlot
Christine Lelouch	...	Martine
Yves Robert	...	Le commissaire
Judith Magre	...	Mme Gallois
Aldo Maccione	...	Aldo Ferrari
Paul Le Person	...	Le faussaire
Amidou	...	Bill
Gérard Sire	...	Le maire
Jacques Doniol-Valcroze	...	Le banquier
Gabriella Giorgelli	...	L'italienne
Luciano Pigozzi
Mimmo Palmara
Pierre Zimmer	...	Martine's Husband

Also Known As:

Simon the Swiss (UK)
The Crook (USA)
Voyou (Italy)

Runtime:

120 min

Country:

France | Italy

Language:

French

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

West Germany:16 (f) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:11 | USA:G

Filming Locations:

Brussels, Brussels-Capital, Belgium

Company:

Films 13

Trivia:

When Jean-Louis Trintignant's character is being grilled, the policeman mentions that witnesses saw a man and a woman. Trintignant responds by whistling a bit of the theme from his previous movie with Claude Lelouche, the international sensation Un homme et une femme (1966).

Movie Connections:

Spoofs À bout de souffle (1960)

Marvelously original mixture of caper film, farce, and classic nihilism

Trintignant is brilliant, aided by a terrific supporting cast, as a nihilistic but debonair professional thief. The plot is very clever with many surprising twists and turns, and this is combined with a philosophical spirit that transcends description. The film within a film angle has never been handled with more panache. I just saw it this week after not seeing it since the 70's, and the film stands the test of time marvelously -- still as fresh, funny, and involving as when I saw it originally. I recommend this overlooked jewel very strongly.