36th Precinct (2004)

2 cops are promised by the retiring chief of the Paris police that the one, getting the violent gang robbing armored trucks, will get his job. The 2 will do whatever it takes to get the promotion, even if it means breaking the law.

Director:

Olivier Marchal

Writers:

Olivier Marchal (original scenario), Franck Mancuso (original scenario)

Stars:

Daniel Auteuil, Gérard Depardieu, André Dussollier

2 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Daniel Auteuil	...	Léo Vrinks
Gérard Depardieu	...	Denis Klein
André Dussollier	...	Robert Mancini
Roschdy Zem	...	Hugo Silien
Valeria Golino	...	Camille Vrinks (as Valéria Golino)
Daniel Duval	...	Eddy Valence
Francis Renaud	...	Titi Brasseur
Catherine Marchal	...	Ève Verhagen
Guy Lecluyse	...	Groluc
Alain Figlarz	...	Francis Horn
Vincent Moscato	...	Jenner
Anne Consigny	...	Hélène Klein
Stéphane Metzger	...	Smao
Solène Biasch	...	Lola Vrinks (11 ans)
Aurore Auteuil	...	Lola Vrinks (17 ans)

Storyline

In the underbelly of the Parisian criminal world, the Police are frustrated by a gang committing a series of violent robberies. Leo Vrinks and Denis Klein are two cops seeking promotion, and the imminent departure of the Chief sets the scene for them to compete for the vacant throne. The competition between them becomes increasingly ruthless and blurs the usual lines of morality, until there seems no difference between the police and the criminals they chase. Vrinks, meeting with a source, becomes involved with a murder. Klein seizes the opportunity to up the ante and arranges for the arrest of Vrinks, but when he goes further and viciously involves Vrinks' wife, Camille, revenge is inevitable.

---

Plot Keywords:

gang violence | violence | dirty cop | murder of a policeman | police officer killed | 

---

Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

24 November 2004 (France)

Also Known As:

36th Precinct

Filming Locations:

Rue de Harlay, Paris 1, Paris, France

Box Office

Budget:

EUR13,580,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gaumont International, LGM Productions, TF1 Films Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Freely inspired by actual events which occurred in Paris, in January 1886. Two different police flying squads waited for a gang of robbers - the disguised gang - just after they pulled a bank heist. But everything got awry because of one of the two squads mistake. Policemen opened fire and a cop but also a gangster were killed. Gérard Depardieu and Daniel Auteuil's characters are very close to the actual cops of this authentic story.

---

Connections

Remade as 36

---

Soundtracks

Don't Bring Me Down
(Sia (as Sia Furler) / Blair Mackichan)
© 2003 EMI Music Publishing Ltd / S&A Music / BMG Music Publishing Ltd c/o BMG Music Publishing France
© 2003 Systematic Limited / Go Beat
With the kind authorization of EMI Publishing France, BMG Music Vision, Universal Music Projets Speciaux

User Reviews

This was the BEST FRENCH FILM of last year!

This is like the French version of Michael Mann's "Heat." Daniel Auteuil and Gerard Depardieu are like the Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro of France.

These heavyweight actors really do a good job in this cop drama where they play former friends and colleagues who work in different competing departments at the French police. Depardieu plays a gutless immoral cop. Auteuil is the family man who is not perfect himself but is far more moral than his former buddy.

It shows the grit of Paris that people outside France don't usually see in French movies, like the mobs, the gangs, the corruption of the urban ghettos. Instead of pretty cafes and the Eiffel Tower, we get to see alleys and project housing.

Italian actress Valeria Golino plays Auteuil's wife. Auteuil's character tries to protect her from the ugliness of his job by not telling her anything. But circumstances beyond their control later on force her to get involved. The director brilliantly puts it all together.

I know some people didn't like the ending. I thought it was fine and I was not at all disappointed. The other supporting actors like Andre Dussolier who are all famous in France also do a good job. We really liked this movie and highly recommend it!