Le Cercle Rouge

1970

Le Cercle Rouge

Critics Consensus

Melville is at the top of his game, giving us his next-to-last entry into the world of deception, crime, and extreme suspense that made him a maestro of the French heist genre.

95%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 59

92%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 6,864
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Movie Info

Corey (Alain Delon) is the young gun in the French underworld who has just been released from prison. Escaped convict Vogel (Gian-Maria Volonté) hides in the trunk of Corey's car. The two enlist the help of an alcoholic former cop (Yves Montand) for an elaborate jewelry-store robbery. Police inspector Mattei (Bourvil) whom Vogel escaped in the beginning of the film is on the case trying to recapture the criminals. He is not opposed to using blackmail techniques to get answers out of the unwilling witnesses and criminals brought in for questioning.

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Cast

Alain Delon
as Corey
Bourvil
as Le Commissaire Mattei
Yves Montand
as Jansen
Gian Maria Volonté
as Vogel
Paul Crauchet
as Le Receleur
Paul Amiot
as L'inspecteur général de la police
Pierre Collet
as Le Gardien de prison
Andre Ekyan
as Rico
Jean-Pierre Posier
as L'assistant de Mattei
François Périer
as Santi
Yves Arcanel
as Le juge d'instruction
René Berthier
as Le directeur de la P.J.
Jean-Marc Boris
as Le fils Santi
Jean Champion
as Le garde-barrière
Yvan Chiffre
as Un policier #1
Anna Douking
as L'ancienne amie de Corey
Yves Arcanal
as Examining magistrate
Robert Favart
as Le vendeur chez Mauboussin
Roger Fradet
as Un policier #2
Francomme
as Le gardien du billard
Jean Franval
as Le tenancier d'hotel
Jacques Galland
as Le chef de train
Jean-Pierre Janic
as Paul, l'homme de Rico
Pierre Lecomte
as L'adjoint de l'I.G.S.
Jacques Léonard
Jacques Leroy
as Un policier #4
Jean Pignol
as L'employe du greffe
Robert Rondo
as Un policier #5
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Critic Reviews for Le Cercle Rouge

All Critics (59) | Top Critics (23)

View All Critic Reviews (59)

Audience Reviews for Le Cercle Rouge

  • Apr 13, 2013
    No one could accuse Melville of not taking his time . . . the film is admittedly slow (it takes an hour just to get the main plot rolling) but its an effective way to tell the story because it makes the few moments of action feel unpredictable and its refreshing to see a movie constructed this way.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • Dec 10, 2011
    A good French heist thriller from the 70's that's a slow-burn, but delivers in spades when it comes to tension and atmosphere. A daring jewelry theft is the highlight of the movie, and kept me on the edge of my seat.
    Lewis C Super Reviewer
  • Nov 08, 2011
    Jean-Pierre Melville's masterpiece Le Cercle Rouge (The Red Circle) is a police procedural meets heist film that seems to be almost a playbook for all films like it that came afterwards. Whether it was a consious effort on other filmmaker's parts or developed along the lines by serendipity, the caper film was forever-influenced by the likes of people like Brian De Palma. To boot, there are masterful performances from both Alain Delon and Gian Maria, two men whose characters are brought together by circumstance but develop an unspoken friendship throughout the film that pays off beautifully in the end. Although the overall pace at times is a little lax, the film itself, in style, performance and execution, is a terrific piece of cinema.
    Tim S Super Reviewer
  • Sep 20, 2011
    The jewelry store scene alone is worth the four stars.
    Tsubaki S Super Reviewer
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