The Informer

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The Informer

1964,

1h 48m,

Drama

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Watchlist

96%

26 Reviews

Tomatometer

90%

2,500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

26 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Burglar Maurice Faugel has just finished his prison sentence. He murders Gilbert Vanovre, a receiver, and steals the loot from another robbery. As Maurice prepares for another burglary, his friend Silien brings him all the necessary equipment. However, Maurice doesn't know that Silien is a police informant.

Critics Consensus

Striking cinematography and strong performances make Le Doulos a uniquely cool -- and thoroughly satisfying -- neo-noir.

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Catherine Drake

The Times (UK)

Aug 23, 2017

4/5

Jean-Pierre Melville presents a murky criminal underworld in his gangland classic.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Aug 11, 2017

4/5

It's a moody, ruminative lowlife crime drama winding up with as many corpses on the floor as Hamlet, and pungent with the sweaty maleness of Melville's tough-guy pictures.

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David Jenkins

Little White Lies

Aug 10, 2017

3/5

Some amazing moments, but something of a drag all told.

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Joan Didion

Vogue

Mar 16, 2020

In its violence and speed and vigour, this absurd jungle of the imagination is more or less bound to photograph well; Melville, however, does a particularly clean job of direction.

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Jul 12, 2019

3.5/4

Le Doulos is all about style and trenchcoats and hats, and, while I tend to prefer Melville's later, color films (Le Samourai, Army of Shadows, Le Cercle Rouge, Un Flic), this one is still recommended.

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Adrian Turner

Radio Times

Aug 11, 2017

3/5

[A] flawed but fascinating crime thriller ...

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George W

Jan 5, 2019

If Tarantino and Scorsese made a movie together 55 years ago that would be it. Another classic well ahead of its time with Jean Paul Belmondo. Wow!!!

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Albus P

May 25, 2018

"Le Doulos" means "someone that wears a hat" or something. This film is filled with hats and people wearing them. Some crook is out from jail. Around him are friends, enemies and police. Some in his gang is doing a robbery and he is in someway in it. It's not easy to hang on to as Melville himself discribes it as a film where "all characters are two-faced, all characters are false". Lots of backstabbing and lies are up in this mix and kind of overshine the action. Sure, there's some murders, the straight noir-kind with two men and a gun or two, with few shots fired. Not my favorite film from the director but it's got a classic vibe that at times are supernice. The mentioned plot is a bit tricky and I'm sure I've missed out on a bunch of stuff. Great looks but not too entertainment friendly. Smart in a way, but too confusing for me. 6 out of 10 poodles.

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Harry W

Aug 19, 2017

Depressingly mysoginistic. Stylish, but convoluted, needing a long verbal explanation near the end which didn't work well for me. I found it over-long and rather tedious.

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Anakin P

Jan 15, 2017

This is an excellent from crime film master Jean-Pierre Melville. It's beautifully shot, has an engaging story, a solid score, strong performances and some great twists. Jean-Paul Belmondo is excellent in this. Anyone who likes foreign classics or noir films needs to see this!

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Jean-Pierre Melville

Director

Jean-Paul Belmondo

Silien

Serge Reggiani

Maurice Faugel

Fabienne Dali

Fabienne

Monique Hennessy

Therese

Michel Piccoli

Nuttheccio

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Synopsis

Burglar Maurice Faugel has just finished his prison sentence. He murders Gilbert Vanovre, a receiver, and steals the loot from another robbery. As Maurice prepares for another burglary, his friend Silien brings him all the necessary equipment. However, Maurice doesn't know that Silien is a police informant.

Director: Jean-Pierre Melville
Producer: Carlo Ponti, Georges de Beauregard
Screenwriter: Jean-Pierre Melville, Pierre Lesou
Distributor: Pathé Films
Production Co: Rome Paris Films, Compagnia Cinematografica Champion
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Canadian French
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 2, 1964, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 3, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $82.8K
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.66:1)

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