Les Passagers (1977)
Directed by Serge Leroy

Film Review

A mostly routine and uneven thriller, Les Passagers would be easily forgettable were it not for its remarkable set-piece involving a determined fight-to-the-death between an ordinary car and a sinister black van on the perilous mountain roads between Italy and the south of France.   Who cares of it's a blatant rip-off of Steven Spielberg's Duel (1971)?  With a flair and commitment that is rarely glimpsed in any of his other films, director Serge Leroy choreographs one of the most stunning sequences of any French thriller of this period - ten minutes of vertiginous nail-biting suspense that might well put you off driving for life, or at least give you a phobia of black vans.

Apart from this one flourish of inspired genius, Les Passagers is pretty undistinguished and for the most part it is as flat and rudderless as most of Leroy's other films.   Bernard Fresson's mysterious, wild eyed villain turns out to be just another muscle-headed psychopath; Mireille Darc has very little to do other than look pretty and scared, which she does admirably; and Adolfo Celi, an Italian actor used to playing villains, looks more like a clueless narcoleptic than a police inspector.  Jean-Louis Trintignant is the actor who is best-served by Christopher Frank's script, his scenes with child actor Richard Constantini having an authenticity which helps to keep the narrative focussed during its long, winding trek down the motorways of Italy and France.  Where the film is weakest is its far from convincing account of a police investigation - essentially the police are all portrayed as fumbling idiots, just to emphasise the fact that the protagonists are fighting a lone battle.  In common with so many French thrillers of the 1970s, Les Passagers now appears dated and formulaic, but its one stand-out sequence, which Spielberg might even be pleased to claim as his own, should ensure that it will not be forgotten.

Film Synopsis

Whilst his new wife Nicole is busy redecorating their Paris apartment, Alex Moineau sets out for Rome to collect her 11-year-old son Marc at his school.  The youngster is keen to find out more about his stepfather and the long journey back home will give them ample opportunity to get to know one another.  Marc suddenly notices that they are being trailed by a small van and it soon becomes evident that they are being followed.  When the van follows Alex's car into a motorway service station it attracts the attention of two policemen, who are shot dead by the van's driver.  Completely unaware of this sinister development, Alex and Marc check into a hotel where they intend to spend the night.  Later that evening, Alex is assaulted by an unknown assailant armed with an axe.  He manages to chase his attacker away and resumes his journey the next morning.  Once over the border, the chase is resumed.  This time, the intent of the van's driver is quite evident.  He intends to drive Alex's car into a ravine...