Borsalino (1970)

During the 1930s, in Marseilles, France, two small time crooks work for local crime bosses until they decide to go into business for themselves.

Director:

Jacques Deray

Writers:

Jean-Claude Carrière, Jean Cau

Stars:

Jean-Paul Belmondo, Alain Delon, Catherine Rouvel

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jean-Paul Belmondo	...	François Capella
Alain Delon	...	Roch Siffredi
Catherine Rouvel	...	Lola
Françoise Christophe	...	Simone Escarguel
Corinne Marchand	...	Mme Rinaldi
Laura Adani	...	Mme Siffredi, la mère de Roch
Nicole Calfan	...	Ginette
Hélène Rémy	...	Lydia
Odette Piquet	...	La chanteuse
Mario David	...	Mario
Lionel Vitrant	...	Fernand
Dennis Berry	...	Nono
Jean Aron	...	Martial Roger, le comptable
André Bollet	...	Poli
Pierre Koulak	...	Spada

Storyline

In 1930 Marseilles two small-time crooks join forces when they meet brawling over a woman. Starting with fixed horse races and fights, they start to find themselves doing jobs for the local gangster bosses. When they decide to go into the business for themselves, their easy-going approach to crime starts to change.

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Plot Keywords:

marseilles france | gangster | poliziottesco | french poliziottesco | crook | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some strong gangster violence

Details

Country:

France Italy

Language:

French Italian German

Release Date:

13 August 1970 (USA)

Also Known As:

Borsalino

Filming Locations:

Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France

Box Office

Gross USA:

$500,000, 31 December 1970

Company Credits

Production Co:

Adel Productions, Marianne Productions, Mars Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min 93 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Borsalino Company made fedora style hats from the late 19th century to the 20th century, with its heydays during the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, when sales went through the roof. The title of this film comes from the name of the hat company which supplied the hats worn by the characters during the movie. The Borsalino hat company helped finance the movie.

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Connections

Referenced in The Muppet Show: Marisa Berenson (1978)

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Soundtracks

Exoticana
Written and Performed by Claude Bolling

User Reviews

One of the all-time fun French gangster films

"Borsalino" is one of the all-time fun French gangster films. I saw it in a cinema in Paris when I studied there eons ago, but just try to find the DVD or videotape! I guess they're trying to increase its rarity value by foisting a much inferior film, Borsalino & Company, on Delon and Belmondo fans. Well, this is the genuine article, more Marseille than the real city, perhaps 70 years or so ago, so just enjoy the great dialogue and scenarios IF YOU EVER MANAGE TO GET YOUR HANDS ON THIS TAPE OR (BETTER) DVD, NOT DUBBED but with subtitles s'il vous plaît. The soundtrack by Claude Bolling (sporadically available on CD) is the perfect accompaniment, and the combination of the French cinema's two most popular young actors made this an all time favorite in France. In the final analysis, style certainly triumphs over substance, and you'll never forget you are seeing Delon and Belmondo. This film has stuck in my mind all these years, and I think you'll be just as impressed as I was... bonne chance!