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.

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Directed by a former policeman.

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Connections

Remade as The Beast (2019)

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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

A Nutshell Review: 36

The opening in 36 has got to be one of the more arresting (pun not intended) starters in a movie I've watched in some time, especially if you're a fan of Euro-electronica, where a catchy tune paces the multiple action happening on screen.

The French police is stumped by a gang of armed robbers whose fast and brutal methods leave no witnesses. Of course the politicians are angry and want immediate results in the capture of these criminals. The stakes are raised when a vacant seat in higher office is opened to the officer who manages to do so.

Leo Vrinks is a decorated cop with questionable methods. Toeing the line that separates cops from thugs, his team of officers and himself are tasked to bring these criminals to justice. His rival, Denis Klein, also a celebrated cop, wants the case for himself, but unceremoniously gets his team and himself relegated to a support role in the sting operation.

Naturally, unexpected things happen during the operation because of Denis' callous behaviour, and lives on both sides are lost. But no, the show doesn't end there when the thugs are captured, as the rivalry between the men spill over and provides more than sufficient fuel for the second half of the movie.

I guess it's the same at most offices, where promotion's at stake, the struggles and intense rivalry may get into the way of the greater good in getting the objective achieved. Methods are questioned, where morality and ethics are put into the spotlight - does the end really justify any means necessary? Like memorable HK police thriller Infernal Affairs, it is the powerful relationship between the main characters that this drama explores and excels in, with excellent acting from Daniel Auteuil and Gerard Depardieu as the bitter men with ambiguous methods and morales.

It's a relatively tight storyline, and you'll have to pay close attention to the subplots in order to be able to piece together how and why the ending was as presented. Highly recommended stuff.

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