Le dossier 51

This movie pioneers techniques - the pseudo-documentary, the POV camera, the relentless naturalism - that have since been adopted by thriller directors around the world. If you have a chance to see this undiscovered gem, don't pass it up. The plot concerns an attempt to blackmail a diplomat. There are a variety of characters, including everyone from the irascible supervisor of the agents in question to a low-level agent who does undercover work so she can buy the latest kitchen appliances. It features scenes which have since been copied to death - the agent rehearsing lines and mannerisms with the team, the display board covered with photos and the like. The ending of the movie is particularly grueling in its matter-of-fact simplicity and machine-like, remorseless logic. Way ahead of its time, this film deserves a lot more attention than it has gotten.

My favorite movie of all time. I've seen it once, when it came out in 1978, and I've never seen it since. But I can't stop thinking about it.

Somehow, others can see things in ourselves that we can't see, or refuse to see. And these observations are used against us, in small ways and in much larger circumstances.

Intrigue is my favorite genre in film. Not loud fights, car chases, or shoot-outs. The quiet contemplation of earth-shaking truths leaves me mulling the subject over and over and over.

In the film, an espionage agency seeks to compromise an employee of a foreign government. And to compromise that foreign government employee, the spies try to find his greatest weakness. The weakness that their target isn't even aware of proves to be the target's greatest weakness.

Easily, one of the better crime stories I've watched. The plot moves forward at a decent pace, decent enough to get one glued to their seats. Every single casting did justice to their role. And the climax is just icing on the top, you couldn't have asked for more. On the whole, a superb movie from Michel Deville.

The book is excellent, I read it twice and was very thrilled by its originality. As for the movie, I only watched half of it, and quit just in time before falling asleep.

This political thriller is directed by a comedy drama specialist, an excellent specialist of comedies of manners made in France. For such a film maker, this is a tour de force, believe me. We think here of Yves Boisset, Coasta Gavras for the French or Alan Pakula - PARALLAX VIEW - or Sidney Lumet for the American influence. This is a terrific piece of work, intriguing, disturbing, that also could remind Francis Coppola's THE CONVERSATION. The story telling, with those off voices is absolutely unique, outstanding, but will puzzle many of viewers. Not for all audiences, but an unforgettable and unavoidable film.