Le samouraï [4K UHD + Blu-Ray] (Criterion Collection) - UK Only

Our Samurai is a sort of anti-Bond, more taciturn than Dirty Harry, and smoother than Steve McQueen. You can see immediately why men and women swooned in Delon's presence. His gravity transcends mere star power. He concentrates with owl-like intensity. And in this role, he is magnificent. Too bad an actor like the young Brando could not find this sort of role for himself. But no ego could see itself bound to a performance which literally avoids any grandstanding. Gary Cooper, maybe. Bruno Ganz perhaps, but without any of the natural magnetism Delon radiates. But never mind the movie star: the film is futuristic and breathtakingly glamorous, with a propulsion as fierce as anything produced in 2024. The movie sprints by, and Paris is barely recognizable as a warren of hovels, escape alleys, and roughly-driven black Citroens, screeching at every takeoff and stop. This film could not be made today. Nobody would know how to do it, even if they copied the original. Not because of lack of technique or imagination, but because magic is not that easy to find or control.

35 years later Alain Delon is still the coolest! All of my friends who have seen the movie agree that the movie has the timeless quality that captures the existential cool!If Jef hit the streets of New York with his attitude and his clothes -- he would still be very very suave :)

There are very few movies in the history of the cinema that are as perfect as Jean-Pierre Melville's "Le Samourai". "Le Samourai" is without question my favorite movie of all-time, and one of the best ever made. It's a movie that isn't widely seen, and is never shown on TV, however, it has had a tremendous influence and inspiration for many filmmakers ever since. "Le Samourai" itself was inspired by the film noirs of the 40s and 50s, especially "This Gun for Hire"(1942) which includes a performance by Alan Ladd as a similar loner hired killer character as Alain Delon's (Jef Costello). I love this movie for too many reasons to mention. First of all, the direction by Melville, the beautifully dark cinematography by Henri Decae, the writing, the editing, etc. Also, the performances are all great especially Alain Delon, who gives the performance of a lifetime, it's absolutely one of the greatest performances ever captured on film. There are too many beautiful moments in the movie to mention, and I won't mention them as to not ruin it for anyone who hasn't seen the movie. One moment in particular is stunning when Delon, who plays a hired killer (Jef Costello), nurses a gun-shot wound to his arm, there's not a false moment in the entire movie. Another is after he steals a car as he drives he stops for a moment as another car with a woman in it stops next to his car and they both turn briefly to look at each other, it's done with a subtle, flawless, breathtaking beauty rarely captured on film. I own a VHS copy of "Le Samourai" which I have almost completely worn out, so I hope that Criterion or some merciful DVD company out there produces a quality DVD of this important masterpiece as soon as possible. I would like to think that amongst the "Gladiators", "Independence Day" and "American Pie" DVDs, they could include a quality DVD of "Le Samourai" for the sake of humble DVD consumers who love great movies. In all, I have to say that I need to watch this movie repeated times so I can enjoy it and be inspired, as well as to remind myself that movies can be important and meaningful. When I see all of the garbage that is shoved out onto movie screens nowadays, it's downright depressing and sometimes demoralizing, so it's nice to be able to put on "Le Samourai", or another great movie of the past, and remember what movies could be and should be!

This superb film is gripping and fascinating from start to finish. Alain Delon is extraordinary...his seemingly cool, blank face has so much pain in the eyes, and his hands ! Watch his hands act ! The expressiveness in them throughout the film is riveting.I love the way he looks at the bird for clues as to what has transpired in his apartment...this is some of the subtlest and best acting you'll ever see. It's a work of art.The sepia and dark grey tones of the cinematography are exquisite. Everything looks damp, cold, and hard, and the editing is dazzling. This is a brilliant film from every aspect. If you like noir thrillers, don't miss it.

I REALLY LIKED THE MOVIE LE SAMOURAI. STARRING ALAIN DELON AS ASSASSIN JEF COSTELLO.. I ALWAYS LIKED ALAIN DELON FOR SUCH A PRETTY BOY HE SURE PLAYS GREAT BADGUYS AND THATS HARD TO DO IF YOUR AS GOOD-LOOKING AS HE IS. ALAIN DELON PLAYS A HITMAN, A LONE WOLF, WHEN HE KILLS A NIGHTCLUB OWNER, A BEAUTIFUL BLACK PIANIST SEES HIM CLOSE UP BUT PROTECTS HIS ALIBI WHEN SHE IS QUESTIONED BY THE POLICE. ALAIN DELONS GIRLFRIEND IN THE MOVIE AND AT THE TIME ALAINS REAL LIFE WIFE, NATHALIE DELON PROTECTS HIS ALIBI TOO. JEF COSTELLO (ALAIN DELON) FINDS THE POLICE AND DOUBLE CROSSING MOB ASSOCIATES HOT ON HIS TAIL. I WONT RUIN THE ENDING AND THE GREAT CHASE SCENES BUT IT WAS A VERY GOOD FILM.

A cool, chic, atmospheric Noir classic that stands the test of time. Has a huge nostalgia appeal as it offers a window into a far happier, livelier Paris before the first encroachments of multicultural devastation. The soundrack is phenomenal and Melville's film making artistry is unimpeachable and cannot be compared to some of the entusiastic epigones some reviewers mention. The entire opening sequence, to the point when Jeff Costello breaks into a parked Citroen, rankjs among the finest few in cinema history. Basically, "Le Samourai" is Melville's tribute to the American gangster cinema of the 40's and 50's and one in which, aesthetically and artistically, the student surpassed his idols.Jean-Pierre Melville (1917-1973) was at his peak in late 60's when besides Le Samourai, he made two amazing nail-baiting thrillers "L'Armee Des Ombres" (1969) and "Le Cercle Rouge" (1970)...