Le Ruffian (1983)
Directed by José Giovanni

Adventure / Comedy

Film Review

Abstract picture representing Le Ruffian (1983)
Lino Ventura and Bernard Giraudeau make a dream team in this American-style adventure film from writer-director José Giovanni.  Despite its somewhat rambling plot and a far from original scenario, the film is worth watching, if only for the stunning photography of one of the most beautiful places on Earth.  Ennio Morricone's score wittily gives the film the feel of a stylish spaghetti western, a sub-genre which shows its influence in a number of Giovanni's films.  Whilst the film passes as a respectable adventure film, the strength of the on-screen rapport between Ventura and Giraudeau makes it function better as a study in friendship and camaraderie.  It is a more human variation on the “honour amongst thieves” motif of the traditional French gangster film, a genre with which Giovanni is intimately associated.
© James Travers 2004
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Next José Giovanni film:
La Loi du survivant (1967)

Film Synopsis

Aldo, a middle-aged adventurer, seeks to make his fortune by working in a gold mine in Canada.  One day, the mineworkers are attacked and all but wiped out by a group of armed bandits who intend to steal their gold.  Only Aldo and two Canadian Indians survive the massacre, and in return they kill the bandits.  The trio decide to run off with the gold.  Suspecting his new allies are about to double-cross him, Aldo drives off without them, but he then loses the gold whilst crossing a river.  Determined to recover the gold, Aldo returns to his former home in Montreal and tries to persuade his friends to help him.  His best friend Gérard, a former motorcar-racing driver who lost the use of his legs in an accident, agrees to give his support, along with his wife, Éléonore and another friend John.  Unfortunately, the two Indians whom Aldo betrayed have not given up the gold either…
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.


Film Credits

  • Director: José Giovanni
  • Script: José Giovanni (novel)
  • Cinematographer: Jean-Paul Schwartz
  • Music: Ennio Morricone
  • Cast: Lino Ventura (Aldo), Bernard Giraudeau (Gérard), Claudia Cardinale (La 'baronne'), Béatrix Van Til (Éléonore), Pierre Frag (John), August Schellenberg (Neslon Harting), James Ernest Davis (An Indian), Danyl Wahayenni-Martin (An Indian), Jacklin Webb (Truck driver), Rick Alkerton, Robert Bouchard, Broan Bowron, Mike Bradford, Donald Brown, Lorne Carry, William Collins, George Dalke, Jim Draper, Albert Eggen, Pierre Giard
  • Country: France / Canada
  • Language: French
  • Support: Color
  • Runtime: 108 min

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