Le Samourai

R.I.P. Alain Delon (1935-2024)

by John Charet

Along with Gena Rowlands, the cinephile community lost another giant this past month on August 18. In this case, it is Alain Delon – one of the most iconic French actors of all-time. He was 88 years-old and the cause of death was B-cell lymphoma. On the screen, Delon oozed coolness and sexiness in equal measures. Various actors, artists, directors and musicians among others have cited Delon as an influence on their work. As usual, I could go on, but I want to finish this blog entry by citing some of my favorite films with Delon (all * * * * out of * * * *).

  1. Purple Noon (1960) (Dir: Rene Clement) Click here and here to watch two various trailers
  2. Rocco and His Brothers (1960) (Dir: Luchino Visconti) Click here and here to watch two various trailers
  3. L’Eclisse (1962) (Dir: Michelangelo Antonioni) Click here to watch a various trailer for it
  4. The Leopard (1963) (Dir: Luchino Visconti) Click here and here to watch two trailers
  5. Any Number Can Win (1963) (Dir: Henri Verneuil) I could not find an English subtitled trailer for it
  6. Le Samourai (1967) (Dir: Jean-Pierre Melville) Click here to watch a 4K Restoration trailer for it
  7. La Piscine (1969) (Dir: Jacques Deray) Click here and here to view two different 4K Restoration trailers for it
  8. The Sicilian Clan (1969) (Dir: Henri Verneuil) Click here to watch a trailer for it
  9. Le Cercle Rouge (1970) (Dir: Jean-Pierre Melville) Click here to watch a 4K Restoration trailer for it
  10. Un flic (1972) (Dir: Jean-Pierre Melville) Click here to watch a trailer for it
  11. Tony Arzenta (1973) (Dir: Duccio Tessari) Click here to watch a trailer for it
  12. Mr. Klein (1976) (Dir: Joseph Losey) Click here to watch a 4K Restoration trailer for it
  13. Nouvelle Vague (1990) (Dir: Jean-Luc Godard) I could not find a trailer for that one

I would like to end this blog entry with a question for my dear readers below

What is your favorite Alain Delon film?

Moviedrome Mondays: Leon: The Professional (1994) and Le Samourai (1967) (Mark Cousins intro)

by John Charet

The 10th season of Moviedrome ends with a double-bill consisting of two crime thrillers helmed by Frenchmen.

Leon: The Professional (1994)

I have posted a youtube video link below to Moviedrome presenter Mark Cousins introduction to French cult director Luc Besson’s 1994 action classic Leon: The Professional. Readers can also read Cousins intro transcript here. The episode’s original airdate was November 15, 1998 (read here). I agree with all of the praise that Cousins showers on this film.

Here is a youtube video link to Mark Cousins Moviedrome intro to Leon: The Professional

Here is a youtube video link to the film’s original theatrical trailer

Le Samourai (1967)

I have posted a youtube video link below to Moviedrome presenter Mark Cousins introduction to legendary French director Jean-Pierre Melville’s 1967 neo-noir classic Le Samourai. Readers can also read Cousins intro transcript here. The episode’s original airdate was November 16, 1998 (read here). Once again, I agree with everything Cousins states here about this masterpiece. If any of you readers are interested, here is a list of my favorite Jean-Pierre Melville films (read here).

Here is a youtube video link to Mark Cousins Moviedrome intro to Le Samourai

Here is a youtube video link to the film’s original theatrical trailer

My Favorite Jean-Pierre Melville Films

by John Charet

* * * * (Out of * * * *)

1.   Le Samouraï (1967)

2.   Bob le Flambeur (1956)

3.   Le Cercle Rouge (1970)

4.   Army of Shadows (1969)

5.   Le Doulos (1963)

6.   Leon Morin, Priest (1961)

7.   Le Deuxième Souffle (1966)

8.   Le Silence de la Mer (1949)

9.   Un Flic (1972)

10. Les Enfants Terribles (1950)

My Favorite Jean-Pierre Melville Films (Revised and Updated)

by John Charet

* * * * (Out of * * * *)

1.   Le Samourai (1967)

2.   Army of Shadows (1969)

3.   Le Cercle Rouge (1970)

4.   Leon Morin, Priest (1961)

5.   Le Doulos (1962)

6.   The Silence of the Sea (1949)

7.   Bob le flambeur (1956)

* * * 1/2 (Out of * * * *)

1.   Un flic (1972)

2.   Second Breath (1966)

3.   Les Enfants Terribles (1950)