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Le Samouraï

Le Samouraï

Crime · Thriller · Drama · 1967

After carrying out a flawlessly planned hit, Jef Costello, a contract killer with samurai instincts, finds himself caught between a persistent police investigator and a ruthless employer, and not even his armor of fedora and trench coat can protect him.

Movie details

Le Samouraï

“His only friend was his gun!”

1967 Crime · Thriller · Drama 1h 45m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.8 / 10

Community rating

After carrying out a flawlessly planned hit, Jef Costello, a contract killer with samurai instincts, finds himself caught between a persistent police investigator and a ruthless employer, and not even his armor of fedora and trench coat can protect him.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Le Samouraï?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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The Butcher

The Butcher

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An unlikely friendship between a dour, working class butcher and a repressed schoolteacher coincides with a grisly series of Ripper-type murders in a provincial French town.

Mr. Klein

Mr. Klein

Mystery · 1976

Paris, France, 1942, during the Nazi occupation. Robert Klein, a successful art dealer who benefits from the misfortunes of those who are ruthlessly persecuted, discovers by chance that there is another Robert Klein, apparently a Jewish man; someone with whom he could be mistakenly identified, something dangerous in such harsh times.

A Gang Story

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The Enforcer

The Enforcer

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After years of investigation, Assistant District Attorney Martin Ferguson has managed to build a solid case against an elusive gangster whose top lieutenant is about to testify.

I Confess

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Drama · 1953

When a priest hears a murderer’s confession, he becomes bound by his vow of silence—even as circumstantial evidence turns suspicion toward him. Torn between faith and self-preservation, he faces public scandal and trial for a crime he cannot reveal the truth about.

Bob le Flambeur

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In Paris, Bob Montagne is practically synonymous with gambling -- and winning. He is kind, classy and well-liked by virtually everyone in town, including police inspector Ledru. However, when Bob's luck turns sour, he begins to lose friends and makes the most desperate gamble of his life: to rob the Deauville casino during Grand Prix weekend, when the vaults are full. Unfortunately, Bob soon learns that the game is rigged and the cops are on to him.

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Dark City

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Gamblers who "took" an out-of-town sucker in a crooked poker game feel shadowy vengeance closing in on them.

The Big Combo

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Drama · 1955

Police Lt. Leonard Diamond vies to bring a clever, well connected, and sadistic gangster to justice all the while obsessing over the gangster's girlfriend.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Jean-Pierre Melville

Written by

Georges Pellegrin · Jean-Pierre Melville

Alain Delon

Alain Delon

Jef Costello

François Périer

François Périer

Superintendant

Nathalie Delon

Nathalie Delon

Jane Lagrange

Cathy Rosier

Cathy Rosier

Valérie

Michel Boisrond

Michel Boisrond

Wiener

Catherine Jourdan

Catherine Jourdan

Locker Room Girl

Jean-Pierre Posier

Jean-Pierre Posier

Olivier Rey

Court is in session

Put Le Samouraï on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Big-Idea Head

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.