Instant Favorite.

Dreadfully Boring

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

one of films who are more than a good one. because it gives more than good story, inspired performances, tension or credible dialogues. first - it is an admirable thriller. than - the work of Jean -Louis Trintignan is impressive , because he does a not real comfortable role in a subtle manner. the presence on screen, in same film of Ranato Salvatori and Anton Delon reminds the air of Rocco and his brothers by Visconti and that detail is important for a part of public. not the least, it is a real story who has the chance to be presented in the right manner, the atmosphere being recreated in wise manner. a film who has useful demonstration of few legendary actors. and who suggest a kind of portrait's sketch of evil.in same measure, the scenes behind Buisson's catchment and the habits after the moments of Borniche and Buisson are more than interesting.

It is 1947 in France, right after the end of WWII. A police lieutenant, Roger Borniche, works hard chasing criminals. Nothing prepares him for what awaits him in his pursue of Emile Buisson, a convict that gets released from jail, only to pick up the bad habits that landed him in prison. With his brother, Jean-Baptiste, and the band he puts together, Emile will become one of the most dangerous men in the country.Borniche, who narrates the story, made it his personal crusade to apprehend Buisson. Borniche did not like the way some of the methods used by his colleagues, he believed in doing his job with dignity. In the meantime, Buisson terrorized Paris. Trying to get the man, Borniche puts himself in danger. Ultimately, the detective is lucky in pressuring one of Buisson's gang members, and with his help, he is able to corner Buisson in a country inn that served as his hideout, not before putting himself, his wife and two associates in danger.Never having seen this 1975 entry, we thought it was a rerun of the much better "Un flic" directed by Jean-Pierre Melville. The picture, directed by Jacques Deray, was based on a real incident, the personal account of the real police at the center of the story, Roger Borniche, and adapted for the cinema by the director and Alphonse Boudard. It was clearly an Alain Delon vehicle, who was at the height of his film career. The actor does not disappoint with his take on the policeman.Jean-Louis Trintingant appears as Buisson. The role presented good opportunities for this actor playing against type. Mr. Trintingnant made an excellent contribution to our enjoyment of the film. Also in the cast, Renato Salvatori, playing a friend of Buisson. Claudine Auger is Catherine, the wife of Borniche. Jacques Marin shows up briefly as the innkeeper where Buisson is captured.

While the DVD case for this film described it as being "Film Noir", the movie wasn't really Noir style but instead was a realistic film about a real criminal without the snappy dialog you usually associate with Noir. This isn't a complaint--after all, the film is very realistic and exciting. But for lovers of the genre, understand the film isn't stylistically a Noir film. The dialog, camera work and overall style of the film just aren't at all reminiscent of classic Noir.Emile Buisson was a sociopath who escaped from prison and went on a robbery and killing spree that ultimately was responsible for almost three dozen deaths! The film shows many of these brutal and unnecessary murders--such as when he shot people who posed absolutely no risk to him. He was super-cold and evil and fortunately, while the film realistically portrayed him and his deeds, it was not grotesque or gratuitous--and I appreciated this.Roger Borniche was a famous cop ("flic") that was ordered to find and capture Buisson. However capable and decent Borniche was, however, Buisson was so brilliant and left no possible chance of capture (killing anyone who might betray him) that apprehending him was very difficult. The police work and how they eventually got him is shown in this film.In many ways, the film is almost a documentary fused with a traditional drama. The skill of the actors (particularly Trintignant as Buisson) and direction make this a wonderful film--very similar to the great film, LE SAMOURAI, and is well worth your time.

For those who didn't know the criminal history of France : Emile Buisson, born in 1902, started his robbers' life during the 30's, with his older brother. He get married, but his wife and their child died while he was in jail. And after this tragedy, Buisson became a killer. From jailhouses to asylums, Buisson finally escaped in 1947. For three years, almost 20 people were murdered, coldly, brutally shot by Emile. All victims of robberies, or thieves suspected for betraying Buisson. He was the first one in France to be called "P.E.n°1". It's these three years which are counted in "Flic Story". The young inspector Borniche had a lot of work to do in order to arrest Buisson. And he succeeded in 1950. And that wasn't the end. For four years, every crime was studied, dissected. In 1954, Buisson was condemned to die. Twice. On the dawn of February 28th, 1956, in the Santé Prison, M.Obrecht, the executioner, released the guillotine's chopper on Buisson's neck.But if Borniche hadn't wrote his book, nobody would even remember about Buisson. The book is really good. So is the movie. Trintignant is probably too cute to play Buisson, but he gives a real performance : a real dead cold assassin. You have to like Delon, of course, even if he is great as Borniche ! (I think he is unbearable !) A good police movie !