Da New York: la mafia uccide!

Eddie is not the main actor in this film, although it is all about him. The mafia in New York sees him as a threat to their existence, and two professional killers are sent out to kill him off in the south of France, Marseilles and Camargue. The language here is English, Eddie is better and more at home in French films, and the two American killers are also not quite at ease in France, always denigratingly comparing it with California. The action is very slow to begin with, allowing the jazz music to dominate the greater part of the film, but eventually it towers into something of a very interesting drama, as the two killers are very different and there for very different motives, leading to arguments and some serious questioning. The audience is in for some interesting surprises.

The drama somewhat overshadows the interesting story, there is also the case of Eddie's lady, who can't understand Eddie's actions while he can't explain them to her, for reasons that will appear perhaps too late. It's a tense very noir drama, you have to wait for something to happen in this dark thriller, which actually is very plain, but it's the complications that make it interesting.

One of the most refreshing movie experiences I have had in recent years. This tale of two hitmen on a journey from New York to France to rub out a potential Grand Jury squealer is an absolute delight. So unpretentious and yet so involving as it moves along with a good rhythm and a cute jazz soundtrack. Klugman and Silva are fine in the awkwardness of their difficult killer team relationship. And Eddie Constantine as interesting and reliable as ever.

An interesting French Eurocrime movie following the fortunes of Henry Silva and Jack Klugman playing a pair of mafia hitmen hunting for their latest target; the problem is that he's an old buddy of Klugman's. This reminded me of PULP FICTION in the way it depicts the friendship between the assassins and charts their meals and misadventures along the way, although it looks a lot different, shot in the French 'New Wave' style. The ending's a memorable one.

Henry Silva and Jack Klugman are hit men sent to France to kill Eddie Constantine. The two spend time on the road getting to know each other and their very different styles of life. Silva is a meticulous person with very definite ideas about his approach to his profession while Klugman is more easy going and less philosophical. This small movie boasts not only the talents of the principal actors but also high-contrast black and white photography that gives it a very new wave film noir look as the boys in their black suits and skinny ties wander around in the Paris night. The French countryside is captured in washed out tones that emphasize how far out of the water these two fish are at the moment. The jazz score for the film is excellent small combo stuff that perfectly matches the stark images. There's also a couple of nice twists in the plot and a dandy downbeat ending. This is a genuine undiscovered gem and you won't be sorry you took a chance on it.

Interesting jazz-fuelled crime film telling the tale of two hitman on their way to kill a fella in France. The man has to die because he could testify against a Mafioso who has been indicted, but one of the hitmen has a personal reason for whacking the guy too.

This hitman is played by Quincy MD himself, Jack Klugman (I had to look that up),whose sister was knocked up and left alone by the victim, but the other hitman is played by Henry Silva, and his character is a no nonsense, pragmatic individual who likes to play everything 'clean'. Both men travel through France, discussing the business they find themselves in, discovering France, and complaining about the food.

There's two separate sub-plots going on too, as we learn about the victim and his women troubles, and then there's guy sent to stop the hit as the Mafioso is released from prison and doesn't want linked to the forthcoming murder. I can quite happily report here that although this film lacks the car chases, chin-socking and violence of later Euro-crime films, the pay off is brilliant and the ending a classic.

The strong actors help, as Klugman comes across as the more humane of the too, while the young Silva has eyes that would melt cement. Look out for future Italian exploitation star Donald O'brien as a rather violent mob bosses secretary