Les égouts du paradis (1979)

Director:

José Giovanni

Writers:

Albert Spaggiari (novel), José Giovanni (adaptation),

Stars:

Francis Huster, Jean-François Balmer, Lila Kedrova

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Francis Huster	...	Albert Spaggiari
Jean-François Balmer	...	68
Lila Kedrova	...	Charlotte
Bérangère Bonvoisin	...	Mireille
Gabriel Briand	...	Mike la Baraka
Clément Harari	...	L'Égyptien
Michel Subor	...	Biki le Targuy
Mustapha Dali	...	Nazareth
Jean Franval	...	Le vieux Joseph
Michel Peyrelon	...	Pierre
André Pousse	...	Le chauve
Jacques Richard	...	Bouche d'or
Serge Valletti	...	Le danseur
Alfred Strocchio	...	Un prince du chalumeau
Alain Caraglio	...	Un prince du chalumeau

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

bank heist | master criminal | heist | master thief | bank | 

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Genres:

Crime | Action

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

14 March 1979 (France)

Also Known As:

The Sewers of Paradise

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alexia Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

User Reviews

Great retelling of an amazing story

This crime drama tells the true story of Albert Spaggiari. Spaggiari (Francis Huster) masterminded one of the biggest bank jobs in modern history when he and a group of underworld types dug through the sewers to break into the Société Générale bank in Nice, France. The group, who broke in over a holiday weekend, eventually took 60 million francs. The film follows Spaggiari from the time he devises the scheme to act itself and ends with his astounding escape from custody. Huster is quite good as the likable thief and there is a fine supporting cast. Director Jose Giovanni gets a little bit political at times but it is never heavy handed. Having worked previously with both Delon and Belmondo, he handles the action well although a lot of it is routinely following the guys as they dig. The Spaggiari story also provided the groundwork for THE GREAT RIVERIA BANK ROBBERY from the same year. In that one, Ian (DEADWOOD) McShane plays the Spaggiari role as "The Brain."