Le samouraï (1967)

Director:

Jean-Pierre Melville

Writers:

Jean-Pierre Melville (writer)
Georges Pellegrin (writer)
(more)

Release Date:

25 October 1967 (France)

Genre:

Thriller | Crime | Drama

Tagline:

De kaldte ham Samoraien - den ensomme morder

Plot:

Hitman Jef Costello is a perfectionist who always carefully plans his murders and who never gets caught...

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Hitman | Alibi | Tiger | Robbery

Cast

Alain Delon	...	Jef Costello
François Périer	...	The Superintendant
Nathalie Delon	...	Jane Lagrange
Cathy Rosier	...	Valérie, la pianiste (as Caty Rosier)
Jacques Leroy	...	Gunman
Michel Boisrond	...	Wiener
Robert Favart	...	Barkeeper
Jean-Pierre Posier	...	Olivier Rey
Catherine Jourdan	...	Hatcheck Girl
Roger Fradet	...	1st inspector
Carlo Nell	...	2nd inspector
Robert Rondo	...	3d inspector
André Salgues	...	Garage keeper
André Thorent	...	Policeman / cab driver
Jacques Deschamps	...	Policeman
Georges Casati	...	Damolini
Jacques Léonard	...	Garcia (as Jack Léonard)
Pierre Vaudier	...	Policeman
Maurice Magalon	...	Policeman
Gaston Meunier	...	Hotel manager
Jean Gold	...	1st client in nightclub
Georges Billy	...	2nd client in nightclub
Ari Aricardi	...	Poker player
Guy Bonnafoux	...	Poker player (as Bonnafoux)
Humberto Catalano	...	Police inspector (as Catalano)
Carl Lechner	...	Sosie Jef
Maria Maneva	...	Little Girl

Directed by
Jean-Pierre Melville

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Joan McLeod		novel "The Ronin" (uncredited)
Jean-Pierre Melville		writer
Georges Pellegrin		writer

Produced by
Raymond Borderie	....	producer
Eugène Lépicier	....	producer

Original Music by
François de Roubaix

Cinematography by
Henri Decaë		(as Henri Decae)

Film Editing by
Monique Bonnot
Yolande Maurette		(as Yo Maurette)

Production Design by
François de Lamothe		(as François De Lamothe)

Set Decoration by
François de Lamothe		(as François De Lamothe)

Production Management
Georges Casati	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Georges Pellegrin	....	assistant director

Art Department
André Boumedil	....	property master
Robert Christidès	....	set dresser (as Robert Christides)
Théobald Meurisse	....	assistant set decorator (as Theobald Meurisse)
Angelo Rizzi	....	props
Philippe Turlure	....	assistant set decorator

Sound Department
Pierre Davoust	....	assistant sound
René Longuet	....	sound engineer
Robert Pouret	....	sound editor
Alex Pront	....	sound director

Camera and Electrical Department
Jean Charvein	....	camera operator: studio
Jean-Paul Cornu	....	second assistant camera
Henri Decaë	....	camera operator: locations (as Henri Decae)
François Lauliac	....	first assistant camera

Editorial Department
Geneviève Adam	....	assistant editor
Madeleine Bagiau	....	assistant editor
Madeleine Guérin	....	assistant editor
Geneviève Letellier	....	assistant editor

Other crew
Robert Beaulieu	....	furrier
Betty Elvira	....	script girl
Jean Pieuchot	....	general manager

Production Companies

• Compagnie Industrielle et Commerciale Cinématographique (CICC)
• Fida Cinematografica
• Filmel
• TC Productions

Distributors

• S.N. Prodis (1967) (France) (theatrical)
• Artists International (1972) (USA) (theatrical) (dubbed)
• Criterion Collection, The (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Luna Vídeo (Brazil) (video)
• New Yorker Films (video)

Also Known As:

Frank Costello, faccia d'angelo (Italy)
The Godson (USA)

Runtime:

105 min | USA:101 min

Country:

France | Italy

Language:

French

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:PG | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Châtelet, Paris Metro, Paris 1, Paris, France

Company:

Compagnie Industrielle et Commerciale Cinématographique (CICC)

Trivia:

When director Jean-Pierre Melville brought a copy of the script to Alain Delon, Delon asked him what the title was. When he was told the title was Le Samourai, Delon had Melville follow him to his bedroom, where there was only a leather couch and a samurai blade hanging on the wall.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: (At 00:40:45) Jef exits a taxi in the pouring rain, but a clear blue sky can be seen reflected in a foreground car hood and bright sunlight on background buildings.

Quotes:

Jeff Costello: Why say you did not recognize me?
Valérie: Why kill Marty?
Jeff Costello: I was to be paid.
Valérie: What had he done to you?
Jeff Costello: Not a thing. I didn't know him. I met him for the first and last time 24 hours ago.
[pause]
Valérie: What sort of man are you?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Un flic (1972)

exceptionally realistic and cold

For once, a bad guy who really acts like a bad guy should! This hit-man is one cold, non-descript and calculating man who plans and executes his hit with the utmost precision. About the only character I remember who did a more thorough job was the hit-man in Day of the Jackal. The police also seem very bright and competent--and repeatedly nearly trip up the baddie (Jef). Because of all this realism, I strongly commend this movie. On top of the realism, I really liked the ending. All in all, a fine film and there are no negatives that I can think of--except that this type of film is probably NOT everyone's cup of tea, so to speak. There really isn't any romance and no one is particularly likable, but what do you expect in a film like this?