Sans mobile apparent (1971)
Directed by Philippe Labro

Film Review

Possibly the most stylish screen adaptation of an Ed McBain novel, Sans mobile apparent is an affective, albeit slightly flawed, synthesis of the American and French detective thriller, set on the sun-drenched French Riviera.  On the plus side, the film is well-directed and has a great cast, with memorable turns from its star performers Jean-Louis Trintignant and Jean-Pierre Marielle.  It is imaginatively shot and edited, although some of the stylistic flourishes veer dangerously towards the self-indulgent and provide an unwelcome distraction from the plot.  This was the second of seven films directed by journalist-turned writer-director Philippe Labro, who would direct some very popular and distinctive thrillers in the 1970s, notably L'Héritier (1973).

Film Synopsis

In Nice, Inspector Carella is puzzled by the seemingly motiveless murders of two men - Tony Forest and Pierre Barroyer.  The two victims would seem to have nothing in common, apart from the manner in which they were killed - both were shot in the centre of the forehead by a sniper rifle.  Carella's first break comes when he finds another man to connect the two murdered men - an astrologist named Hans Kleinberg who acted as a courier for both of them, taking money to Switzerland.  But before the inspector can find out more, Kleinberg is suddenly shot dead.  A third victim, and still no apparent motive for murder.

Carella gets his second lead when Forest's daughter-in-law Sandra supplies him with the first victim's diary, which records various meetings with his many mistresses.  One of these, Jocelyne Rocca, agrees to meet with the inspector at his home, but neither gains anything from the interview. On leaving the apartment, Jocelyne becomes the mysterious killer's fourth victim.  Through the window, Carella catches a glimpse of the sniper and gives chase - but in vain.  The killer is too fast for him.

The investigation appears to have stalled when Sandra comes to the inspector's aid a second time.  She is rehearsing a stage play at the Théâtre de Verdure.  Carella is interested to discover that Sandra's director, Palombo, wrote this play eight years ago, and when it was first performed four of the roles were taken by the four murder victims - Forest, Barroyer, Kleinberg and Rocca - whilst they were at university.  It is surely no coincidence that these four were killed in exactly the same order in which they appeared on stage in the play.  The fifth member of the original cast, the television presenter Julien Sabirnou, looks set to be the next murder victim - unless Carella can get to him in time.  But what could possibly be the motive for these killings, and who is responsible...?