An extraordinary Alain Delon plays a gypsy who drives the French police mad
A tense detective film that takes a look at a complex and contentious social reality
Based on a novel written by the director himself, who summarised his intentions in the following way: “From earliest childhood, my hero learned that for him and his people all society was willing to let them have were abandoned lots and rubbish dumps. This results in an odious contempt for society and a declaration of open war.” It also results in a tense and surprisingly deep detective film, dominated by Alain Delon in the lead role, in one of his most complex and exciting performances. Critic Roberto Chiesi, who dedicated an in-depth volume to the French star, stated: “In the subdued and bitter anger with which he speaks to the other gypsies of the contempt that they are surrounded by, it appears as though Delon physically transforms into his character. He is a wolf who expresses himself purely with his eyes or with frightening smirks of sarcasm. But he is also extraordinary in the scenes of raw emotion.”
After having escaped from custody with two accomplices, gypsy Hugo Sennart has been hunted by the police for the last two years. He keeps the police honest by carrying out a series of robberies, which are also an act of social vendetta and a way to distribute resources to his clan. A tenacious Detective finally manages to locate his hiding place. In the final shootout, Sennart is the only one to escape. From a distance, he must watch as his people’s encampment is dismantled.
An extraordinary Alain Delon plays a gypsy who drives the French police mad
A tense detective film that takes a look at a complex and contentious social reality
Based on a novel written by the director himself, who summarised his intentions in the following way: “From earliest childhood, my hero learned that for him and his people all society was willing to let them have were abandoned lots and rubbish dumps. This results in an odious contempt for society and a declaration of open war.” It also results in a tense and surprisingly deep detective film, dominated by Alain Delon in the lead role, in one of his most complex and exciting performances. Critic Roberto Chiesi, who dedicated an in-depth volume to the French star, stated: “In the subdued and bitter anger with which he speaks to the other gypsies of the contempt that they are surrounded by, it appears as though Delon physically transforms into his character. He is a wolf who expresses himself purely with his eyes or with frightening smirks of sarcasm. But he is also extraordinary in the scenes of raw emotion.”
After having escaped from custody with two accomplices, gypsy Hugo Sennart has been hunted by the police for the last two years. He keeps the police honest by carrying out a series of robberies, which are also an act of social vendetta and a way to distribute resources to his clan. A tenacious Detective finally manages to locate his hiding place. In the final shootout, Sennart is the only one to escape. From a distance, he must watch as his people’s encampment is dismantled.
