Atonement refers to Yom Kippur, a holy day in the Jewish calendar during which traditional Jews are forgiven for crimes they committed during the past year.
But Le Grand Pardon also defines Alexandre Arcadi’s thriller, set in the heart of the French Jewish Pied-Noir mafia, led by clan leader Raymond Bethune (Roger Hannin).
Loosely inspired by the true story of the Zemour brothers (Paris gangster figures of the 60s and 70s), this feature film, which was released in theaters in 1982, is often called “The French Godfather” because its plot has so much in common with Francis. Ford Coppola’s masterpiece.
Roger Hannin in one of his best roles
But Le Grand Pardon is worth it above all for its qualities as an excellent thriller, masterfully directed by one of the greatest directors of the genre, with a four-star cast, notably Roger Hannin and Jean-Louis Tritignan, but also Bernard Giraud. Richard Berry or Gerard Darmon.
Perfectly cut dialogues where the iconic lines follow each other (“Stop your rants, Bethune” “Today, all over the world, all Jews forgive those who hurt them. All Jews. Except one, mine.”), a relic of a bygone era of cinema, Le Grand Pardon is still considered one of the best French thrillers of the 80s.
Therefore, its arrival in the catalog of the Disney + platform is an ideal opportunity to (re)discover this signature genre of Alexander Arkady, the late Roger Hannin in one of his best roles.
Discover a list of all the movies currently available on Disney+!
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
