The Sicilian Clan
Directed by:
Henri VerneuilCinematography:
Henri DecaëComposer:
Ennio MorriconeCast:
Jean Gabin, Alain Delon, Lino Ventura, Irina Demick, Amedeo Nazzari, Karen Blanguernon, Yves Brainville, Gérard Buhr, Elisa Cegani, Raoul Delfosse (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
Roger Santet (Alain Delon) is a convicted murderer sprung from prison by the Sicilian clan headed by the aging Vittorio Manalese (Jean Gabin). They conspire to steal a large cache of jewels from an exhibit in Rome. As they are preparing for the heist, the mobster's American friend Tony Nicosia (Amedeo Nazzarri) suggests that a better way to get the rocks would be to hijack the transport plane while it is en route to New York. The dogged inspector Le Goff (Lino Ventura) is using all the available resources to thwart their plans. Though the heist itself is successful, Santet finds himself trapped by the mob because of his fling with Manalese's daughter-in-law (Irina Demick). (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (4)
A more than capable director, dream-team casting and the best movie music composer of all time to boot. A slowly unfolding, atmospheric old-school crime movie which is a delight to watch, but... Still there is a niggling feeling inside you that with such an ensemble, they could have gone at least a little further. The last half hour proves that they undoubtedly could have. Because it is only then that The Sicilian Clan touches the movie heavens.
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This is a well-known film, one that people probably remember when they think about "the golden era of French crime cinema." It brought together three big stars of that era - Delon, Ventura, and Gabin - all of them performed their parts with excellence. Perhaps only in some of the actors in the supporting roles is it evident that they were playing second fiddle. The smuggling of weapons on board an aircraft is simply related to the lower level of airport security - the security philosophy has developed over the years, and the impetus for its significant strengthening was a series of tragic attacks and hijackings in the 70s. As for the hijacking of the plane, which should be the culmination of the film in my eyes, it is resolved too simply and with film elegance for my taste. Would the numerous guards seriously not notice anything about the valuable cargo? Paradoxically, I enjoyed the stylish prison escape at the very beginning the most, which was an early highlight of the crime story for me. Overall impression: 85%.
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A solid French crime drama supported by excellent performances and a perfect score by Ennio Morricone.
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A beautiful example of what the French were very good at - crime thrillers or mafia films. At times you almost wonder if it's a comedy, mainly because of the soundtrack, but the performances of the title trio and especially the great Gabin prove that this is not just any little film, but a good one.
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