Mesrine Part 1: Killer Instinct (2008)

The story of french gangster Jacques Mesrine, before he was called Public Enemy N°1.

Director:

Jean-François Richet

Writers:

Jacques Mesrine (book), Abdel Raouf Dafri (scenario)

Stars:

Vincent Cassel, Cécile de France, Gérard Depardieu

8 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vincent Cassel	...	Jacques Mesrine
Cécile de France	...	Jeanne Schneider (as Cécile De France)
Gérard Depardieu	...	Guido
Gilles Lellouche	...	Paul
Roy Dupuis	...	Jean-Paul Mercier
Elena Anaya	...	Sofia
Florence Thomassin	...	Sarah
Michel Duchaussoy	...	Pierre André Mesrine - le père de Jacques Mesrine
Myriam Boyer	...	La mère de Jacques Mesrine
Abdelhafid Metalsi	...	Ahmed - le proxénète
Gilbert Sicotte	...	Le milliardaire
Deano Clavet	...	Roger André
Ludivine Sagnier	...	Sylvie Jeanjacquot
Mustapha Abourachid	...	Le harki
Sofiane Benrazzak	...	Le Fellagah #1 (as Sophiane Benrezzak)

Storyline

Mesrine: Killer Instinct -- the first of two parts -- charts the outlaw odyssey of Jacques Mesrine (Vincent Cassel), the legendary French gangster of the 1960s and 1970s who came to be known as French Public Enemy No. 1 and The Man of a Thousand Faces. Infamous for his bravado and outrageously daring prison escapes, Mesrine carried out numerous robberies, kidnappings and murders in a criminal career that spanned continents until he was shot dead in 1979 by France's notorious anti-gang unit. Thirty years after his death, his infamy lives on. Mesrine was helped along the way by beautiful and equally reckless Jeanne Schneider (Cécile de France), a Bonnie to match his Clyde. Mesrine made up his own epic, between romanticism and cruelty, flamboyance and tragedy.

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Plot Keywords:

arizona desert | red wine | scotch whiskey | bagman | casino | 

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Genres:

Action | Biography | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong brutal violence, some sexual content and language

Details

Official Sites:

Music Box Films Site [United States] Official site [Germany]

Country:

France Canada Italy

Language:

French English Arabic Spanish

Release Date:

22 October 2008 (France)

Also Known As:

Mesrine: Killer Instinct

Filming Locations:

Clichy, Hauts-de-Seine, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$152,873, 29 August 2010, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$551,660, 25 February 2011

Company Credits

Production Co:

La Petite Reine, Remstar Productions, Novo RPI

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Vincent Cassel gained 20 kgs (44 pounds) for the role during the four months leading up to the shoot.

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Goofs

At the metro station in Montreal, the man is standing in Sherbrooke station smoking, but as the train arrives, the footage is from Bonaventure station.

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Connections

Featured in Gangstars (2009)

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Soundtracks

Mi cha cha
adapted from "Independence Chacha"
Written by Joseph Kabasele
Performed by Performed by Greg Moen et les Socquettes Blanches

User Reviews

a good blockbuster of a famous French criminal

Jacques Mesrine (1936 - 1979) was a well-known French criminal, getting himself a name for robbing banks and a number of murders. After having received a huge ransom for kidnapping a French millionaire in 1979, French authorities declared him 'Public Enemy Number One'. They increased their efforts to track Mesrine down, and executed him without a trial shortly afterwards. While imprisoned earlier on, Mesrine wrote his autobiography.

'Public Enemy Number One - Part 1' reflects the first part of this criminal's adult life. Starting in the late fifties in Algeria, where French soldier Jacques Mesrine served in the foul war of independence, we get a clear picture of his development as a master-criminal.

Although I think it difficult to judge the historical precision of its plot, this very French film surely makes a good watch. Male lead Vincent Cassel acts a convincing Jacques Mesrine, and the many supporting roles shine with equal quality. The parts 1 and 2 of 'Public enemy Number One' provide a real blockbuster that sticks to the mind.

For the fans of Ludivine Sagnier. She isn't in this Part 1, but will appear in Part 2.