Several films have made Alain Delon a film legend, but only one has turned him into a myth. That is why it goes without saying that Le Samouraï occupies a special place in the filmography of the French actor, who died on August 18 at the age of 88.
Alain Delon acquired the nickname “Samurai” thanks to the film by Jean-Pierre Melville. Contrary to what one might think, the plot of the thriller is not set in Japan, but in Paris.
The film follows the journey of a lone killer whose alibi is threatened by a musician who witnesses one of his murders. But during their confrontation at the police station, he decides to acquit her…
Alain Delon was convinced in just a few minutes
The first version of the script was written in 1963. At the time, Alain Delon wanted to turn to an international career, so he turned down Melville’s offers (including the lead role in Army of Shadows, which eventually went to Lino Ventura). After meeting again, the director can read him a script written several years earlier.
Legend has it that Alain Delon stopped reading after a few minutes, tempted by the fact that the film has very little dialogue. The name of the movie – Samurai – also caught the attention of this collector of Japanese artifacts. The success of the feature film allowed him to become a huge star in the Land of the Rising Sun.
The slow pace of the story is the opposite of the steady pace of traditional thrillers. Melville’s subtle direction is also one of the film’s strengths, with the latter favoring still shots and scenes without dialogue to give his character an extra mysterious aura.
Francois de Roubaix’s original soundtrack, between melancholic tones and jazz sounds, has also remained in the memory of music-loving moviegoers.
Samurai, a film that has become iconic around the world
In this almost silent role, which relies heavily on the physical presence of his interpreter, Alain Delon gives one of the best performances of his career. Le Samouraï also marks the first of three collaborations with director Jean-Pierre Melville (Le Cercle Rouge and Un Flic to follow), for whom she is generally considered his favorite actor.
When it was released, Le Samouraï attracted almost 2 million French cinemagoers. But the film’s success will go beyond our borders. Considered a cult in the four corners of the world, the feature film has attracted many tributes.
Several unofficial remakes have also appeared, including John Woo’s The Killer, Johnny To’s Revenge, and Jim Jarmusch’s Ghost Dog.
Jean-Pierre Melville’s Samurai with Alain Delon is now available on Netflix.
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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.
