Fred, a raffish safe blower, takes refuge in the Paris Metro after being chased by the henchmen of a shady businessman from whom he has just stolen some documents. While hiding out in the back rooms and conduits of the Metro, Fred encounters a subterranean society of eccentric characters and petty criminals.
Cinematography
Glowing subway tunnels that look like sci-fi cathedrals
Production
The entire Metro rebuilt on a soundstage—pure Besson excess
Costume
Isabelle Adjani's yellow dress against concrete gray
Director
Luc Besson
Isabelle Adjani
Helena
Christopher Lambert
Fred
Richard Bohringer
Le Fleuriste
Michel Galabru
Le Commissaire Gesberg
Jean-Hugues Anglade
Le Roller
Jean-Pierre Bacri
Batman
Jean Bouise
Le Chef de Station
Jean Reno
Le Batteur
Jean-Claude Lecas
Robin
Pierre-Ange Le Pogam
Jean
Éric Serra
Le Bassiste
Arthur Simms
Le Chanteur
Michel D'Oz
Le Guitariste
Alain Guillard
Le Saxophoniste
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Besson built a full-scale replica of the Paris Metro in a warehouse because the real system wouldn't allow filming.
This launched Besson's 'Cinéma du look' movement—style over substance as political statement in 1980s France.
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