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(More customer reviews)There are very few movies in the history of the cinema that are as perfect as Jean-Pierre Melville's "Le Samourai". "Le Samourai" is without question my favorite movie of all-time, and one of the best ever made. It's a movie that isn't widely seen, and is never shown on TV, however, it has had a tremendous influence and inspiration for many filmmakers ever since. "Le Samourai" itself was inspired by the film noirs of the 40s and 50s, especially "This Gun for Hire"(1942) which includes a performance by Alan Ladd as a similar loner hired killer character as Alain Delon's (Jef Costello). I love this movie for too many reasons to mention. First of all, the direction by Melville, the beautifully dark cinematography by Henri Decae, the writing, the editing, etc. Also, the performances are all great especially Alain Delon, who gives the performance of a lifetime, it's absolutely one of the greatest performances ever captured on film. There are too many beautiful moments in the movie to mention, and I won't mention them as to not ruin it for anyone who hasn't seen the movie. One moment in particular is stunning when Delon, who plays a hired killer (Jef Costello), nurses a gun-shot wound to his arm, there's not a false moment in the entire movie. Another is after he steals a car as he drives he stops for a moment as another car with a woman in it stops next to his car and they both turn briefly to look at each other, it's done with a subtle, flawless, breathtaking beauty rarely captured on film. I own a VHS copy of "Le Samourai" which I have almost completely worn out, so I hope that Criterion or some merciful DVD company out there produces a quality DVD of this important masterpiece as soon as possible. I would like to think that amongst the "Gladiators", "Independence Day" and "American Pie" DVDs, they could include a quality DVD of "Le Samourai" for the sake of humble DVD consumers who love great movies. In all, I have to say that I need to watch this movie repeated times so I can enjoy it and be inspired, as well as to remind myself that movies can be important and meaningful. When I see all of the garbage that is shoved out onto movie screens nowadays, it's downright depressing and sometimes demoralizing, so it's nice to be able to put on "Le Samourai", or another great movie of the past, and remember what movies could be and should be!
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In a career-defining performance, Alain Delon plays blue-eyed Jef Costello, a fedora- and trench-coat-wearing contract killer with samurai instincts
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