Flic Story - Duell in sechs Runden

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 so happened for me to watch it at the age of 54.

Had no clue whatsoever about this film.

In my book it is one proof too many that police / crime thrillers are no longer conceived in this fashion.

For the mere reason that film industry is going down the drain.

And it is a pity.

Do yourself a favour and watch it.

Regardless your generation.

Keep the flame of worthy film watching, lit.

Cheers.

Sitting through this for the first time I was under the delusion it had been directed by Melville, although it didn't seem to be quite his style. Unsurprisingly, it wasn't, but by someone called Deray, whom I'd never heard of. The history of the pursuit, over several years, of a dedicated cop after an unrestrained and ruthless thief and killer, it turns out to be a masterpiece, with depth. Gradually it grows clear that the two men are psychologically related: two sides of one coin. It dawns on the viewer, or it did on this one, that it's to be doubted if there's anything that can be called free will. Both men are creatures of circumstance, who have not really chosen their destinies. There is a curious rapport between them. Cops need robbers, like cowboys need Indians. Each can look on the other and think: there, but for arbitrary fortune, go I. Buisson's use of his gun seems as natural and spontaneous as any of Tarantino's reservoir dogs. Borniche suffers his own harassment and pressures. No man chooses his birth or the pattern of his life. Or does he ? A thought-inducing experience.

It's refreshing to watch a movie that gives the impression someone actually wrote a script about a story they wanted to tell and the story makes sense. It doesn't happen so often nowadays when most movies are self-indulgent; open-endedly boring or patronizing.

Delon and Trintignant, two of the biggest French stars of the 70s are respectively Borniche (the cop) and the killer-robber Buisson. The story is told in a linear way - thank you! - without special effects and only one car chase, short and realist enough.

Borniche is a top detective charged to find Buisson, a cold-hearted, pitiless criminal who escaped from prison. Loosely based on a real story - the chase lasted several years - Borniche is a sort of good cop, interested only in justice and reprimanding is "bad cop" colleagues, while there isn't much justification for Buisson violence. Therefore, the moral compass isn't too skewed.

I watched this in French and being my first Delon/Trintignant film, I was disappointed only by their ordinary, unsexy voices. Trintignant was especially chilly as the criminal, Delon convincing as the quiet cop, violence was few and far between and even more shocking because shown in all its meaningless brutality.

The best performances for both Trintignant and Delon, based on a true story dig in the criminal files of the French police. Classical, nothing unexpected but so brilliantly made, pulled by excellent acting and directing. Trintignant told later that he disliked the character he played here, so far from his own sensibility; and that's precisely for this reason that's his performance is awesome. The true definition of a true actor, who can play characters totally different from himself. Don't miss his glance, his terrific and terrifying glance, maybe more terrifying than the real Emile Buisson himself. One of most cold blooded killer that the movie- and not only French - industry has ever shown. Great ending too.