Flic Story

One the most scabrous real case on France about a great criminal called Emile Buisson played glowingly by Jean-Louis Trintignant a true mad-dog, coldest killer, the movie starts when he escaped from prison in 1947, the Lieutenant Roger Borniche (Alain Delon) a sort of good manners cop and hard smoking man who want be promoted, then came up the golden opportunity, he was nominee to catch Buisson, due his fine background and sustained by his greedy and bad temper Chief Vieuchene (Marco Perrin) and leading a fine task force, in other hand Buisson exposes so much killing in same day an informer, giving hints for an aware and skillful Roger Borniche, in next day he sets up a siege at Buisson hideout, arresting his brother Jean-Baptiste, his partner Renee Bollec and Suzanne Bollec, Buisson had a luck and nerve to escape jumping over the dangerous roof to get the streets, through many contacts on underground's crime he was hidden on a distant farmer, between robbers and killings the cautious Buisson was so near to be arrest for Borniche, always slipping away on last minute, after exhaustive three years he bribes a Buisson's partner to reach him, Alain is great as always, but somehow Trintignant overtaken him on an outstanding and remarkable performance, the French cinema is growing in my conception so fast due the realistic pictures!!!

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First watch: 2020 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 8.5

As 'Roman-Policiers' go this is pretty good with its muted tones and sense of period and of Jacques Deray's output is the one that comes nearest to the style of Jean-Pierre Melville although one can never beat the original! It stars Alain Delon who made nine films with Deray and filmed the last of his three with Melville in 1972.

Roger Borniche who died last year at 101, utilised his experiences as a Police Inspector to inform his series of crime novels. This film deals with his most famous exploit in which he uses his resourcefulness and unorthodox methods to capture Emile Buisson, France's Public Enemy number 1 of 1950.

Delon is at the height of his popularity here and although far too attractive as Borniche he brings his customary 'edge' and aura of unpredictability to the role which I think is one of his best.

Everyone loves a villain so they say, not least actors(!) and the superlative Jean-Louis Trintignant relishes the role of psychopath Buisson. Being a thoroughly bad boy he naturally exerts a fascination over the female of the species and even Borniche's partner played by Claudine Auger, remarks on his lovely eyes!

As expected there are plenty of interesting 'types' here and mention must be made of Paul Crauchet who impresses as a petty criminal forced to turn informer.

An extra dimension is added here in the relationship that develops between Borniche and Buisson during the lengthy interrogations that take place after Buisson's arrest. It has been suggested that policemen have an inverted criminal mentality and here Borniche certainly adopts some highly questionable methods to get his man. These two characters could be said to represent both sides of the same coin. It is, according to Borniche, the childhood of Buisson that made his life of crime inevitable. The question as to whether it is Nature or Nurture or indeed a combination of both that makes us what we are is unlikely ever to be resolved.

A ruthless gangster (Trintignant) is on the loose and he seems to be killing for fun. But inspector Borniche (Delon) is on his tail. Set in immediate postwar France (1947) this is based on a true story (from Borniche himself). Everything about this movie is spot-on : the direction, the actors, the impeccable recreation of France in the forties, etc... Delon is perfect as the laconic inspector and Trintignant as the coldblooded gangster whose favourite handgun is the Walther P38, a Germanmade pistol (as repeated frequently in the movie). You will be at the edge of your seat : they don't make 'em like that anymore !

It so happened for me to watch it at the age of 54.

Had no clue whatsoever about this film.

In my book it is one proof too many that police / crime thrillers are no longer conceived in this fashion.

For the mere reason that film industry is going down the drain.

And it is a pity.

Do yourself a favour and watch it.

Regardless your generation.

Keep the flame of worthy film watching, lit.

Cheers.

For those who didn't know the criminal history of France : Emile Buisson, born in 1902, started his robbers' life during the 30's, with his older brother. He get married, but his wife and their child died while he was in jail. And after this tragedy, Buisson became a killer. From jailhouses to asylums, Buisson finally escaped in 1947. For three years, almost 20 people were murdered, coldly, brutally shot by Emile. All victims of robberies, or thieves suspected for betraying Buisson. He was the first one in France to be called "P.E.n°1". It's these three years which are counted in "Flic Story". The young inspector Borniche had a lot of work to do in order to arrest Buisson. And he succeeded in 1950. And that wasn't the end. For four years, every crime was studied, dissected. In 1954, Buisson was condemned to die. Twice. On the dawn of February 28th, 1956, in the Santé Prison, M.Obrecht, the executioner, released the guillotine's chopper on Buisson's neck.

But if Borniche hadn't wrote his book, nobody would even remember about Buisson. The book is really good. So is the movie. Trintignant is probably too cute to play Buisson, but he gives a real performance : a real dead cold assassin. You have to like Delon, of course, even if he is great as Borniche ! (I think he is unbearable !) A good police movie !