Confusion and wrong assumptions are the cause of tragedy in this stylish gangster noir by director
Jean-Pierre Melville. Maurice (
Serge Reggiani) and Silien (
Jean-Paul Belmondo)
are friends going way back, and both have had a shady past. Silien
wants to leave his illegal activities behind him -- but would he
actually be in league with the police, as an informer? That is what
Maurice suspects after he kills a fence who is responsible for the
murder of one of his friends and then takes some jewels as an extra
bonus. Doubts assail Maurice as well as others until it is finally
decided that something has to be done about Silien.
