TOUCHEZ PAS AU GRISBI
France, 1953, 90 minutes, Black and white.
Jean Gabin, Jeanne Moreau, Lino Ventura.
Directed by Jacques Becker.
Touchez Pas Au Grisbi (Don't Touch the Loot) is an effective mid-'50s portrait of the gangster milieu at the time. It models itself on the American film noir (which in turn were echoes of French gangster thrillers of the '30s and '40s). It shows the influence of such films as John Huston's The Asphalt Jungle as well as Jules Dassin's Rififi. The focus is not so much on crimes and their execution but rather the portrait of the gangsters, their interactions, decisions, and the milieu in which they lived and worked.
The film was directed by Jacques Becker, director of a number of notable films of the '40s and '50s including Casque d'Or. The film takes advantage of the screen image of celebrated French actor Jean Gabin, star of so many of the films of the '30s including Pepe le Moko. The film also features Jeanne Moreau in an early role and also Lino Ventura as the leader of the rival gang.
1.Interesting gangster film? Atmosphere, characters, confrontations? In the mode of the film noir of the '40s and '50s? The popularity of this kind of gangster study in the period?
2.Black and white photography, night and day, light and darkness? The interiors of the cafes, apartments? The outdoor sequences, the streets, the country roads? Confrontations and shoot-outs? Songs, glamour of the nightclubs, musical score?
3.The title, its tone? Applied to the action of the film?
4.The film as a character study: of Max, of his associates, of their women, of rival gangs? The French milieu? Robberies, the police, honour and dishonour amongst thieves, nightclubs, the spread of drug-dealing?
5.Jean Gabin and his screen presence: as Max, age, experience, wanting to retire? The stealing of the gold? In the nightclub, his relationship with Riton, with Marco, discussions with Angelo, lending him Marco? His knowledge of his associates, tolerance? The relationship with Lola? The nightclub, the cafe, the reliance on the Bouches? Catching Josy with Angelo? Speaking to Riton on her behalf? Going to the apartment, the discovery of the plot, the phone call to Riton? The attempt on his life? The pursuit, the taking of Riton, the deal? Hiding the ingots with his wealthy friends? The encounter with the woman? His going to the exchange with Riton, the double-dealing, the shooting and killings, the exploded car? Not getting the money? Portrait of a gangster? His future?
6.Riton as his associate, ladies' man, the relationship with Josy, her wanting to get out of the relationship? His talking too much? Getting out of the job with Angelo and his crony? Being taken, injured? The exchange? His being shot, hospital, death?
7.Angelo and his gang, the up and coming group, ruthless, drugs, associates, drivers and dealers? Double-dealing? With the women? Trying to get rid of the older brigade? The set-up for the exchange, the shooting, the explosion?
8.The minor crooks, Marco and Roman, as drivers, as dealers?
9.The Bouches, the cafe, looking after the criminals, contacts?
10.Pierrot and his support of Max, hiding the money, family relationships, arrangements for hiding gold? The confrontations?
11.Josy and Lola, their relationships, prostitutes, singers in the nightclub, changing relationships, betrayals?
12.A portrait of the period? The ugly side of French society? The codes of the gangsters?
