Customer Reviews

Le Cercle Rouge

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Tauting , provocative and sugestive thriller ; this monumental work still hasn't received the important place it deserves widely.
The script turns around three men linked by the faustic fate . Delon joins with an unknown ex convict and an alcoholic ex cop.
The premise is extremely interesting ; don't forget the film noir still lives in France and from time to time it makes feel itself.
The sequence of the robbery is a warmth homagge to Rififi ; Melville was so meticulous that almost kept the equal timing than that one .
Jean Pierre Melville has been called the most american of the french film makers and the most french of the american film makers .
But, far the bitterness hidden behind those adjectives ; Melville made in 1970 a great contribution for the film noir . He's a gifted director . Bob le flambeur , and L'arme des sombres are two important films that prove widely he's a fine film maker and his concerns turn around the great challenges ; no matter the moral of your action ; you feel passion aroun the human beings who are involved in the mission.
This film will reward you always . A winner film!

"When men, even unknowingly, are to meet one day, whatever their diverging paths, they will inevitably come together in the red circle."

Its just a title relax/

THIS, my friends, is what hooked me onto french cinema. Like the vast majority of the films from that era, the direction is gritty and uncouth. The "artsy" appeal of french new wave is what keeps me hooked. But enough with the genre itself! That fateful summer night in Boston, Alain Delon came ranked amongst my favourite actours. In a somewhat sardonic way, he's rather debonaire as Corey. Despite having to glue my eyes to the subtitles throughout the entire picture [high school french doesn't get you far], I appreciated every performance. Melville has done his share to become one of my favourite filmmakers, his style has become recognizable with each I watch. The tale is, although simple, one of my favourite in my film collection. And for such this is, I'm enthralled to the edge of my seat as each second ticks on.

And yes...this, as stated before, epitomizes cool. Scared of the "artsy" flicks? My own mother liked this film.

I saw this film last weekend as part of a local french film festival. I had heard great things of it and given my pention for noir I knew I would like it. However, sitting here a week later I'm just now realising how much I loved it. What can you say about film when it penetrates your dreams both of day and nocturnal. What superlatives can be used to describe a film that gets you even while doing the most mundane things like getting bagels at the local supermarket for Sunday brunch. I say, "It is pure cinematic bliss!!!" Albeit I'm an unabashed francophile and I was raised on great noir and mystery flix (in elementary school my favourite filmmaker was Hitchcock). But I digress... The point is SEE THIS FILM... NOW!!!, Rent it or Buy it but nonetheless SEE THIS FILM NOW!!! Stop what you are doing and see one of the best films you will ever see. Melville is ART... ART is Melville

The premise is simple: a man named Corey (Alain Delon) is released from prison but is unable to avoid his randez-vous with destiny. True, this had been tried before Melville made The Red Circle. However, great photography should grab you within minutes: cool, dissolved hues framed by a skilled illusionist. The scene in the muddy field registers as one of the best of noir cinema: Vogel (Gian Maria Volonte), an upredictable and fearless fugitive meets the stark, taciturn Corey. Only indispensable dialogue here, a gesture with a toss of pack of cigarettes and the sublime theme composed by Eric De Marsan - the circle is now half-drawn and this movie genre has never since been the same. We never quite see a fork in the road for any of these guys: Corey, Vogel or Jansen, a cop-turned-gangster played by Yves Montand. All three, in spite of their efficiency, move closer and closer to an inevitably tragic end. Thus sets a feeling of temporariness. Whether it's a few thousand franks, a life of a goon in pursuit, or a near-encounter with a lost beautiful woman - it is an imprint as lasting as a puff of smoke from a Galoise. Andre Bourvil created a most convincing portrait of a veteran policeman, whose final coming to the table is as assured as that of Bergmanesque Grim Reaper. Watch the game unfold, while also enjoing the incredible piano arpeggios, brass sections, and a bunch of fantastic supporting-role actors.

"When men, even unknowingly, are to meet one day, whatever their diverging paths, they will inevitably come together in the red circle."

I have no idea what the Buddha quote in the film's title sequence really means, but Jean-Pierre Melville's LE CERCLE ROUGE (Criterion) is a superb, cool, meticulous, existential (Buddhist?) masterpiece of crime cinema about a tight-lipped thief (Alain Delon) and an escaped prisoner (Gian Maria Volonte) who fatefully cross paths (predestination?) and join a fallen ex-cop (Yves Montand) to pull off a dangerous jewel heist. All the time relentlessly pursued by an driven police inspector (André Bourvil). Thus great looking director's cut restores 40 minutes and features tons of extras.

Jean-Pierre Melville, in many ways, shares some of the brooding
and fatalistic tendencies of his colleagues Marcel Carne (Jour Se
Leve, 1939) and Henri-Georges Clouzot (Quai des Orfevres, 1947).
Yet Melville's ethos is one which, unlike theirs, often delineates character almost entirely through action and gesture.
This makes for compelling viewing, particularly in the case of Melville's late, exquisitely crafted thrillers "Le Samourai" (1967), "Un Flic" (1971), and of course "Le Cercle Rouge" (1970).
A picture of this quality deserves the success it had in limited theatrical runs during the Stateside reissue this past Spring;
Criterion has done a marvellous job with it. I can only encourage anyone with a taste for the sheer visceral pull of
a great film to spend two evenings with the disc: one with
the picture itself, and another to view the special features
on the second disc, many of which are documentary materials that
give a wonderful glimpse of the modest, self-effacing director's
M.O. Another winner from Criterion, which I would give ten stars if I could. Let's hope for "Le Samourai" next!

Melville created a cold-hearted masterpiece with the Red Circle. There is little sympathy felt for any of the characters. Rather, this is a dark meditation on human corruption - all the characters locked in an ultimately futile game. The brilliance of this movie is Melville's portrayal of how the game is played. Alain Delon and Gian Maria Volonte play criminals who possess a surreal ability to anticipate their opponent's next move. Andre Bourvil, the dispassionate inspector, is locked in the same chess match. So for those that thrill at the chase - this movie comes recommended. And this newly restored and uncut version is the perfect showcase for this detached work of art. Melville creates the mood of a winter train-ride through the French countryside impeccably, and conveys the stifling atmosphere at police headquarters with equal skill. Yet the detechment of the film also creates a problem, which I think is the biggest drawback: no emotional context is given for these men (there are almost no women present in the entire film). So even though the film is a meditation on the human condition, it really doesnt look into the characters experiences. But if you're looking for a terse, rugged crime film you can't do better.

The cold, slow-paced and existential treatment of this crime story comes from a different world, Melville's world, where darkness is pure enlightment.

Riviting movie I was first made aware by 1/2 pg reviews in the n y times around jan 03 during its re release..and was able to locate a vhs copy in french with english and greek subtitles..and became a fan of melville's..prior reviews are excellent and I suggest melville's other movies be tracked down for your enjoyment .he appears in person as a film director during orig. Breathless and good background from interviews that appear as special features on dvd Bob le Flambeur.not all his movies are yet on dvd so track down vhs where possible..worth the trouble....