JohnHowardReid Regarded by many critics as the finest film noir ever made, the 1955 Rififi directed by Jules Dassin is available on a 7/10 Criterion DVD. (Why only 7/10? Two image break-ups, including an extended impasse at the beginning of the robbery which undermines this sequence).My personal opinion is that the movie runs far too long and tends to out-stay its welcome, thus allowing the viewer to focus on holes in the plot. For example, I feel trims should have been made to Magali Noel's rendition of the title song, as well as the ailing Jean Servais' climactic drive to Tonio's home, both of which seem to go on forever. The famous, no-dialogue robbery sequence, on the other hand, is commendably taut. Aside from Jules Dassin himself, who, despite his curiosity value, makes an unconvincing Italian romantic, the cast rates as uniformly fine. Servais is especially impressive. Great lighting photography by Agostini and moody sets by Trauner (as well as the inspired use of real Parisian locations) help secure Rififi a place on anyone's must-see list.

classicsoncall Immediately following this film, I watched one of the trailers on the DVD, and in it, The New York Mirror proclaimed that this picture had "enough raw sex to elevate every eyebrow"! Really? Where was that? If that was used as a hook for the movie back in the day, then a great disservice was done to the movie going public.As far as heist films go, I thought the caper was pulled off rather easily, maybe even too easily with not a hitch during the process. However I never even realized that the thirty minute or so sequence during the robbery was done without anyone speaking. I guess that's the mark of a competent director, to get the viewer so absorbed in an extended scene that time becomes a non-factor. Very well done.So basically, after the heist was pulled off, you had two rival gangs going at it to secure the gems involved in the safe-crack. With major mistakes committed by the Stephanois' bunch (Cesar giving his gal a ring, then ratting on Mario), I began rooting for Tony as soon as coke-head Remi (Robert Hossein) grabbed the kid. The back and forth tension between the thug groups added a different dimension to the film than it would have had if it was just a caper movie.Aside from no one benefiting from the jewel heist, I was baffled by the close of the story when Tony collapsed and crashed the car he was driving with the rescued kid in it. With the local gendarme on the scene, Tony's ex, Mado (Marie Sabouret) comes along and just takes the child away from the scene. What? And then it ends. What? It could be I'm missing something, but the accolades accorded the film seem out-sized to the resulting effort. I'd still recommend it, but watching the film with a critical eye reveals enough flaws to temper the acclaim.

Richie-67-485852 Excellent foreign film of a robbery and all that goes with it too. You are in the movie courtesy of the way it is filmed. No sound, or dialog is used during the heist giving one a sense of everyone knows what to do and when so why talk? Do what we are supposed to be doing here and then, let's get out as quickly as we can. That's where we join them. We get to the thrill of the caper first hand, imagine ourselves in the money, and it is a matter of time until we all get our shares. If it was that simple we can only hope. The wild card? Human nature and the unforeseen. Nicely filmed, paced and the movie manages to hook us using more than the heist or the money too. The characters pull you in and we hope for a good ending but then, the word "good" is subjective. Suspense, glued to the screen type movie watching, have some popcorn to diffuse the tension, definitely a tasty drink and at least two snacks. Good job all involved and thank you for this gem

BobbyT24 I won't be able to add anything that hasn't already been reviewed on this site about this fabulous French movie. It's simply one-of-a-kind genius. On the cutting-edge level of "Citizen Kane", "The Godfather", and "Toy Story" as those once-in-a-generation genre-changers that every movie following wants to copy but never realizes the magic of the first time. When a movie is BANNED in countries around the globe (not censored but actually blocked from import) not because of violence or nudity, but because it is being used as a blueprint for real crime... One word: W-O-W.The movie was filmed in the mid-1950s as gangster noire so the setting is perfectly gritty and distinctly Parisian of the era. When we aren't seeing the setup for the heist or the heist itself, the story drags at times and has a touch of overacting. However, all of that is forgiven for the monumental originality in the hands of a master director. It's a shame he was blacklisted in America. What a waste of true talent. I'm thankful the French saw the genius behind the lens.This is one I've added to my collection on a recommendation from an article recently. I am soooo happy I bought it. It's also a movie I have loaned out since my first viewing simply because I want to show friends how a historically awesome film sequence can not only be seen and enjoyed, but marvel at the stunning visuals playing out before their eyes. This movie is a feast for the eyes, ears and soul. I loved this movie and cannot rank it higher than 10. Please watch the heist sequence. You've never seen anything like it and never will again. 11 out of 10.