Der Greifer

Just from the way the pre-credit sequence is shot, the introduction of Jean-Paul Belmondo and the super soundtrack, it is clear this is going to be fun. There are one or two far fetched elements but who cares, when the entertainment is this good? We are swept along from the very start with a cash pick up we learn about afterwards and before we can be certain a robbery is under way and there are already some half dozen people shot. I chose to watch this in the English dub and it was fine with Belmondo shining through. He is ably supported all round and though there is no female participation things never stop. there is time too for some humour and yes, that soundtrack is spot on. Excellent stuff.

A good thriller, with a very good cast and Belmondo at his best. Excellent photography, and everything you may wish, but a very important thing is missing: How did Belmondo identify the criminal? Nothing is explained. He just happens to find him, and we are not part of the secret. It is a pity, for the picture was doing well, and is very entertaining. But the rating of 8 went down to 6 in the two or three last minutes. The French are good at this type of thing, and Belmondo excels. But in this case they committed the unpardonable sin.

Good solid action for a Belmondo in great shape! Bruno Cremer is very convincing as well as a coldblooded killer using lost youth to help him carrying out his crimes. It's a very entertaining and fun to watch movie, with a very nice musical score.

That's the only film, as far as I know, which offers a tribute to both Jean Pierre Melville - a Philippe Labro's close friend, with whom he died in August1973 - and also the great and unique Sam Peckinpah. It's so obvious for me, who is the die hard fan of both directors, my all times favourite, here reunited in a tribute to them. Tribute thru many details, for instance Bruno Cremer who says : "Coco", it's a tribute to Melville who said this to his close pals, such as Labro. The character presentation and symphony is also very close to Melville's spirit. Now, concerning Peckinpah, action sequences, slow motion excepted, is also a tribute to the great Sam. The final face to face between Cremer and Belmondo is also closer to Melville than Peckinpah. A real must see, when Belmondo was at his peak.

To answer to the previous comment: finding a person knowing where he lives is quiet easy. A name on the mail box, any letter or paper in his home will give his identity. Belmondo is in the villain's house alone. OK, they could show us, but we can imagine.

What I think is worse in the story is that the "Epervier" would NEVER have let live the young man who helps him in the jewelry robbery. He kills everyone, except this young man, leaving him only injured. It's nonsense, this particular villain could not do that. He was not in such a hurry, he takes time to kill the two cops and doesn't take the time to shoot the kid! And also it's using a very bad facility in the scenario than to just make this young man, the only one the "Epervier" let live knew exactly who he was and where he lived...

I think the scenario would have been better if either the story was only between the Alpagueur and the Epervier OR between the Alpagueur and the Prison story. Two stories in the same movie makes one of them writtent quickly. I would have loved to see the Epervier character a little more explained, this was an interesting character that was underused in the movie and lost for another scenario.