Le Cercle Rouge (Studio Canal Collection) [Blu-ray]

Excellent value and supplier

An odd atmosphere pervades this film that reminded me of what I felt when reading 'L'Etranger' (in English, my French isn't good enough) by Camus. This happens to be one of my favourite books, so I liked the film but if you are not into a sort of existential/aburdist mix then this film might still be for you, as would the book.It has some great performances by some of the leading French actors of the last 40 years in it and is centred aorund a robbery perpetrated by an ad-hoc disparate group of criminals and neo-criminals plus a disenchanted former policeman? Sound familiar? Yes, it is the film that many later Hollywood films used as a basis for their own less weighty and less interesting versions. This film, though, was made at a time when the film-makers understood that audiences can understand well-written dialogue, appreciate good acting, have an attention span of more than 27 seconds, and doesn't need jokes thrown in to lighten the mood and/or avoid them 'being triggered' or whatever it is.

'Le Cercle Rouge' (1972) is one of Jean-Pierre Melville's gangster movies (as opposed to his 'resistance' WW2 movies). The universe of 'The Cercle Rouge' is similar to 'Le Samurai' and 'Le Dolous': filled with (male) characters who are cool, laconic, unsmiling and doesn't say very much, but bent on carrying out their (criminal) plans no matter what. The main protagonists, all with a shadowy past, are played by Gian Maria Volontè, Alain Deon and Yves Montand - chased by commissar Mattei (André Bourvil). There are no significant women in this man's world, the only one's seen are dancing in the background or sweeping by.Melville's films have a certain 'slow' tempo: when it's getting suspenseful the tempo is slowed down so that all movements are followed, instead of speeding up with short cuts which can be said to be more conventional. This is explained in the excellent commentary track with Ginette Vincendeau, extra material which makes this DVD well worth buying.Some people react negatively to the contemplative tempo, and the fact that there is not much dialogue or real action/violence. Personally I think it is a welcome contrast to other movies. Also, everything is not as clear or explained as is the norm: for example we never learn why Corey is in jail as the movie begins, or why Vogel is hunted by a veritable army of cops. Instead the viewer has to interpret a little bit more why the characters do what they do and so on. The mood (and colors) in the film are muted and may not be to everyone's taste either. That said, this is a movie I have watched two times and will watch again.The excellent commentary by Vincendeau together with the nice transfer make me want to recommend this Bfi DVD to anyone interested in cinema.

One of Jean-Pierre Melville's classic American influenced atmospheric French gangster films, this features Alain Delon with veteran stars Andre Bourvil and Yves Montand. Culminating in a beautifully staged diamond heist, Delon, as a criminal recently released from jail, delivers a fine performance in the almost emotionless and minimally expressive manner which epitomises his three Melville films. However, Delon is such a gifted actor that a flicker of the eyes or an almost imperceptible facial movement can convey huge meaning.As with most Studio Canal releases, the print quality and sound are of a very high standard. This is the only distributor to have released even a minimally representative selection of Alain Delon's films in subtitled versions in the UK and Le Cercle Rouge can be bought individually or as part of a Jean-Pierre Melville boxset. Well worth buying either or both.It is to be hoped that Studio Canal will continue to release more Delon films. Many titles are available direct from France, of course, but without English subtitles.Some Delon films are as yet unavailable anywhere on DVD which is difficult to understand given his longstanding international popularity. Let's hope Studio Canal releases these and other titles in the UK.Le Cercle Rouge ranks among Melville's best work, this copy is excellent, it deserves five stars.

Been french I was happy to see once more those great artists

On Amazon Prime streaming (BFI) it has good quality sound and pictures but the subtitles are delayed by 10 seconds creating confusion.

I bought this copy because it's a Blue-ray. I've got a copy of this magnificent 'film noir' by Melville in my filmcollection for over 20 years, saw it for the first time more than 40 years ago and after this first time at least 5 more times. Stands in my top-ten of best movies ever made. Won't tell you all other nine, but one of these is "Le Samourai" by the same Melville and starring the same Delon. A must-have for lovers of French films noirs and of course : take the French-spoken version. It would be nice if you also master the French language. If not : take lessons in French ! I know because I do speak and understand French quite reasonably, after having had12 years of French lessons. But I must admit that my English is better.

A film by Jean-Paul Melville one of the great directors of French cinema.A gangster film (which Melville was so good at) centred around a robbery near the Ritz in Paris.Superbly acted of course by Delon, Montand, Gian Maria Volonte, with the usually comic actor Bourvil, here playing the police inspector very seriously and convincingly.This was made in 1970 and it easy to see the influence that these hard-edged French films have had on subsequent American films, but theAmericans will always try for their "happy ending".

this is the kind of cinema that motivates & shows the underworld in an articulated way . Shame not much is produced nowadays but just in case check "A Most Violent Year" by J. C. Chandor. Of course the actors in Le Cercle Rouge exude more substance, but they were a race in extintion already

Le cercle rouge Film fabuleux à voir pour son interprétation et sa qualité,Au début des années cinquante, un très grand réalisateur et metteur en scène avait déclaré , en parlant de notre irremplaçable BOURVIL :Cet acteur qui joue dans des rôles de provincial un peu naïf, nous surprendratous, car il possède en lui-même d’énormes qualités d’artiste.Son authenticité et son talent feront de lui un acteur tout à fait digne de camper dans des rôles qui surprendront une majorité de cinéphiles.En visionnant cette superbe création de JEAN-PIERRE MELVILLE , nous pouvons constater que cette analyse qui avait été faite antérieurement à l’égard de cet artiste que nous regrettons tant (ANDRE BOURVIL ), était juste.Le commissaire Mattéi, interprète son rôle de justicier d’une façon parfaite, en mettant en exergue pour mettre hors d’état de nuire une bande de malfrats qui se risquent à faire la plus grande « casse » du siècle place Vendôme.C’est l’échec complet, et le piège tendu par le valeureux commissaire Mattéï y est pour quelque chose.Il faut voir ou revoir ce chef-d’œuvre fabuleux.Ne surtout pas oublier ces très grands acteurs comme ALAIN DELON, YVES MONTANTD, ANNA DOUKING, GIAN MARIA VOLONTE, PAUL GRAUDAT, qui participèrent avec excellence dans leur rôle qui leur furent attribués dans ce super film ....Adieu ANDRE BOURVIL, vous qui aviez voulu aller jusqu’à la fin afin de terminer ce grand film, malgré cette maudite maladie qui vous terrassait et dont vous vous sentiez condamné.

La penultima obra de Jean-Pierre Melville puede ser la mejor peli de su filmografia. El casting es perfecto y los actores dan el mejor que sean Bourvil (su penultimo papel), Alain Delon, Yves Montand. El guion es maravilloso al nivel de una obra de Shakespeare.. El paquete contiene 3 BluRays: la obra en 4k, la version en full HD y uno lleno de documentales sobre el director que fue un modelo pra muchos franceses, americanos japoneses.

As a caper-movie, far too sketchy and undeveloped; as a thriller, badly lacking in the necessary plot-twists to merit that description; and with its comically feeble conclusion, hardly edge-of-the-seat material.So what's to like? Well, I rather enjoyed it as an antidote to today's hyper-kinetic cinematic fare: action at a minimum; long periods of silence; stillness; and leisurely camera-work. Just don't expect thrills.

The director Jean-Pierre Melville, who passed away in 1973, has influenced several directors such as Jim Jarmusch, Quentin Tarantino, and John Woo, and his films have influenced several new films. The recent Ocean's Twelve and its predecessor appears to have been influenced by the characters in Melville's Bob le Flambeur (1955) while Good Thief (2002) is more or less a remake with Neil Jordan's own adaptation. In addition, John Woo is currently planning to shoot a remake on Le Cercle Rouge with the title Red Circle with intended release date set sometime in 2006. However, Melville's stories are nothing like the fast-paced action films by Woo, or quick-witted cinematic exploitations by Tarantino. Melville's stories focus on what is within the frame of each scene, as focus in brought on the characters and the actions of the characters. This way Melville conveys more than just the mere words of the characters, which leaves much for the audience to contemplate upon while a succession of frames leads the audience to a new and unexplored terrain of cinema.In Melville's Le Cercle Rouge, he initiates the film with a made up Buddhist saying stating that all men who are destined to meet will meet, which also refers to the films title. The `Buddhist saying' plants a seed in the audience's mind, which will have great consequence for the film's characters as they cannot escape their destiny. The saying also brings a philosophical debate in regards to existentialism through a band of criminals and a police force. Two of the characters whose future seems to be linked are Corey (Alain Delon) and Vogel (Gian Maria Volonté), both criminals. Corey is freshly released after having had served time in prison and he does not waste time as he gets back into his previous ruts as he robs an old associate and buys a car. The other character, Vogel, is transported handcuffed as he is approaching the prison where about to serve time, but he succeeds in escaping and manages to avoid the police by hiding in the trunk of Corey's car. Thus, the two men's fates to meet is sealed.Corey drives out into a secluded area of the woods where he asks Vogel to exit the trunk as he steps back from the car. Corey is also aware of a gun that was hidden in the trunk, which might have been recovered by his passenger. When Vogel steps out there is a moment of silence as the two men study each other's appearances and actions, as a distrusting pet would smell a stranger. This moment portrays the distrustful code in which criminals coexist and the meaning in which they find a purpose in life. In essence, the moment represents the red circle that has been connected as these two men were meant to meet. This leads both men to Paris where they begin to plan a jewel heist, which requires further help from a team of professionals in the field.The police are in full force searching for the escaped Vogel that eluded Police Captain Mattei (Bourvil). A rather upset Mattei is determined to recover Vogel as he has a strong sense of purpose in life, which is now spiced up since Vogel escaped. Fatigued Mattei returns to his small apartment where he feeds his cats and tries recover physically and emotionally as he recognizes the severity of having lost Vogel under his watch. The return to the apartment displays Mattei's purpose as it illustrates Mattei's personality through his actions and the mise-en-scene, which brilliantly depicts his values.Melville diffuses the drawn line between the criminal element and the law enforcement as he depicts a symbiotic like atmosphere between the two. In addition, the point that there is an overlapping between the two worlds comes across even more strongly through a dialogue between the Police Chief and Mattei. In the conversation, the Police Chief says, "And don't forget: All guilty." Mattei asks, "Even policemen?" The police chief responds, "All men, Mr. Mattei." This cynical perspective of mankind brings a humane side to people, as all people will make mistakes throughout life as Mattei did when he lost Vogel.Le Cercle Rouge is a string of awesome scenes that is tied together into a brilliant cinematic experience. The star-studded (Alain Delon, Gian Maria Volonté, and Yves Montand) cast does not become the wheel for the story's success, but the cinematic narration under Melville's direction does. The direction exhibits meticulous orientation of details as the actions of the characters, the script, the mise-en-scene, the camerawork, and the sound comes together into marvelous concoction of philosophical insights, suspense, and fate.