Una cascata tutta d'oro

Most of José Giovanni's movies are about "Honour among losers". At best they are beautiful or colourful losers but most of the time they are just losers. Before Giovanni "realized" he could cut the middleman to bring his stories to the big screen he first wrote Le Trou (a jail movie, so the characters are only temporary losers) which happened to be helmed by Jacques Becker (his swan song). Then he did two scripts for Robert Enrico (Les Grandes Gueules et Les Aventuriers) who IMO mostly benefited from a solid cast including both times Lino Ventura and his career as a "solid" film-maker was definitely launched (also for the mediocre Enrico who owed to Giovanni's "straightforward sentimental actioneers" his successful transition to feature length). Both movies do not warrant a second viewing but they are somewhat pleasant and original the first time around.

Le Ruffian is mostly a rehash of the Aventuriers baseline. Two adventurous losers trying to lose big time but in style... and most importantly staying best buddies, laughing it all away. No wonder I remembered little from my first viewing as a kid. And I would be even harsher than other reviewers who enjoyed the first act: it is badly scripted and badly shot from the very first frame. There was potential, sure, but then again shooting in the wilderness with a more than competent cast does not count as a bonus point on a mediocre work. It means you are overselling your ability to shoot something that does not look ridiculous in the middle of grandiose scenery with actors who were better utilized elsewhere.