Jean Gabin's final hunt: a killer falls for his last victim in grimy '70s Marseilles.
Whilst being transferred to a psychiatric hospital, a ruthless serial killer Gassot makes a break and goes on the run. He arrives in Marseilles, intending to escape abroad. Here, he falls for a young prostitute, Gerda.
Acting
Jean Gabin's weathered final performance as the weary commissioner.
Cinematography
Marseilles port rendered in grimy, gorgeous '70s palette.
Director
Denys de La Patellière
Jean Gabin
Commissioner Le Guen
Fabio Testi
Georges Gasset
Uschi Glas
Gerda
Bernard Blier
François Tellier, director of the PJ
Ginette Garcin
Lulu
Félix Marten
Campana
Gérard Depardieu
Frédo Babasch, the sheep
Jean Barney
The young inspector
Jacques Debary
The Commissioner of Marseille
Sady Rebbot
Lucien, from Grenoble
Ermanno Casanova
Nurse
Jacques Richard
François Gassot
Philippe Vallauris
Inspector Guérin
Georges Staquet
Mr. Alphonse
Georges Blaness
A pied noir
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Jean Gabin died months after release; this was his penultimate film. He reportedly insisted on doing his own stunts despite failing health.
Part of the 'polar' tradition that influenced '70s American neo-noir—Michael Mann later cited French crime films of this era as touchstones for 'Thief' and 'Heat'.
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