The following list includes a selection of ten outstanding French crime films made from 1954-1966. Jean-Pierre Melville would continue to make films of this ilk, including several more classics (Le Samourai (1967); Le Cercle Rogue (1970); and Un Flic (1971)), but this period from mid-fifties to mid-sixties produced a number of gems from a selection of France’s top directors (Melville; Claude Sautet; Francois Truffuat; Jean-Luc Godard; Robert Bresson, and Jacques Becker). Outstanding work from actors like Jean Gabin; Lino Ventura; and Jean-Paul Belmondo, who all managed to combine a certain on-screen cool with the necessary gravitas to be convincing as hardened criminals; and writers, such as Jose Giovanni, who spent eight years in prison, and was responsible for some of the best screenplays of the period, contributed to a number of quality efforts. The French Crime Wave was of course related to, and perhaps even a sub set of, the French New Wave, which brought emerging directors like Truffuat and Godard to national fame and accord and influenced filmmakers the world over. The crime films included in this list stand up as some the best of the genre in the history of cinema.   

 

1. Bob Le Flambuer (Bob the Gambler) (1955). Directed by Jean-Pierre Melville. Starring Roger Duschene.

2. Pickpocket (1959). Directed by Robert Bresson. Starring Martin LaSalle. 

3. A Bout de Souffle (Breathless) (1960). Directed by Jean-Luc Godard. Starring Jean-Paul Belmondo; Jean Seberg.

4. Le Trou (The Hole) (1960). Directed by Jacques Becker. Starring Marc Michel.

5. Classes Tous Risques (The Big Risk) (1960). Directed by Claude Sautet. Starring Lino ventura; Jean-Paul Belmondo. 

6. Le Deuxieme Souffle (Second Wind) (1966). Directed by Jean-Pierre Melville. Starring Lino Ventura.

7. Band ‘a Parte (Band of Outsiders) (1964). Directed by Jean-Luc Godard. Starring Anna Karina.

8. Tirez Sur la Pianiste (Shoot the Piano Player) (1960). Directed by Francois Truffuat. Starring Charles Aznavour.

9. Le Doulos (The Finger Man) (1962). Directed by Jean-Pierre Melville. Starring Jean-Paul Belmondo; Serge Reggiani 

10. Touchez Pas au Grisibi (Don’t Touch the Loot) (1954) Directed by Jacques Becker. Starring Jean Gabin; Lino Ventura; Jeanne Moreau

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