Ne réveillez pas un flic qui dort

Once of France's greatest and best loved stars, Jean Gabin, shuffled off this mortal coil in 1976. Twelve years later(!) his former co-star Alain Delon dedicated this film to him. Although undoubtedly a very nice gesture from M. Delon, could he not have chosen a less unpleasant and distasteful opus?

This is undoubtedly the most abysmal of the policiers produced by and starring Delon throughout the 1980's. Having made a heap of rubbish with Jose Pinheiro three years earlier entitled 'Parole de Flic', actor and director have succeeded in going one worse here.

There are, as to be expected, good production values but the sole redeeming feature, if one can call it that, is the mesmerising performance by Michel Serrault as a psychopathic, ultra right-wing vigilante policeman. Assuming that is, you are prepared to endure the sickening spectacle of human fireballs, charred bodies and slaughtered bystanders, not forgetting of course the customary knee-capping. Also deeply sad to see the almost unrecognisable Serge Reggiani in a minor role.

Although France's Golden Age had long since passed, French cinema was still turning out some interesting films during this period and such moronic, gratuitously violent trash seems totally out of place.

It was the least successful of Delon's policiers from this decade so evidently the paying public has some discrimination.

It is said that audiences only remember the good ones which is just as well as this is one of Delon's very worst.

It is worth less than nought but is awarded 'un point' for the presence of M. Serrault.

One cannot help but feel that M. Gabin warranted something better than this.