Le samouraï (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

The wheel of life circles towards a predictable conclusion, as does Jean-Pierre Melville's cinematic masterpiece Le Samouraï. The film emits a strongly inevitable atmosphere, yet the silence, dualistic, and enigmatic narrative leaves the audience ambiguously flabbergasted far after its initial screening. The serenity that surrounds the protagonist cerebrally submerges the audience into a world where opposites coincide in an illusionary moment. It is in this moment where the thoughts conceptualize into a coherent piece of alternative reality and offer support to the power of suggestion. The blending of the fictitiously thoughtful imagination and the reality on the screen leaves the audience with a strong sense of dualism. Like Yin and Yang, the notion is further developed through the protagonist Jef Costello (Alain Delon) who peacefully approaches his violent profession, as a hit man. He is the embodiment of mind and body converging towards a moment of perfection, as he seeks his own path, a path similar to the samurai - the way of Bushido.The contrasts within Jef and his environment sharply emerge in the lengthy initial scene where he rests on a bed while staring into the ceiling. Not much is in motion besides him lighting a cigarette, a canary singing in a cage, and cigarette smoke lingering in midair while the sounds of vehicles passing outside informs the audience about the continuance of existence outside. A sparsely furnished and decorated room with aged and peeling wallpaper demonstrates his humbleness, as he pays no attention to vanity or self-importance. Thoughtfully, perhaps, most likely, Jef might be seeking the greater meaning in life. The opening scene symbolically suggests that while people outside are busy scurrying back and forth in their cars to uphold a way of life governed by others' need of monetary means. Unlike the majority of the world, Jef seeks contemplative solitude, as a small tidbit of Bushido emerges on the screen stating, "There is not greater solitude than that of the samurai, unless it is that of the tiger in the jungle...perhaps..."Whenever Jef leaves his simple apartment, he dresses himself in an exact and detailed manner, but not for narcissistic purpose. Instead, it seems as if he is preparing for battle, the beige trench coat and gray hat hint towards the idea of a samurai's armor and helmet. Every minor facet seems to be carefully calculated, as he is about to perform his profession to perfection. Words are meaningless. It is only the act of his task that matters while he carry's out his masters order with a deep sense of loyalty and respect. Despite the bloody purpose of his task, he approaches it with a great sense of benevolence and honesty to those who help him. He is to the point without intention of squandering time, yet he is adaptable to the changes around. Precision and flawlessness are also essential to the task of killing a nightclub owner, as he respects his target. To visually display his respect to the person he is about to kill he dresses in white gloves while also informing the marked man that he is about to die. Analogously Jef approaches his task to that of a samurai who would slash his sword through flesh without leaving any cutting mark until the limb slowly drift apart due to gravity.Methodically, Melville transcends the American gangster cinema into an extraordinary combination of French New Wave and traditional Bushido that leaves the audience a timeless piece of cinematic brilliance. The story continues to unfold in, as mentioned before, a predictable manner when it turns into a cat and mouse game between Jef and the law enforcement. The police arrest Jef, but must release him due to lack of evidence and as one of the witnesses falsely acquits him for unknown reasons. Police inspector (Francois Perier), who strongly suspects Jef despite his watertight alibi, leads the investigation and he continues to pursue Jef. Meanwhile, Jef's criminal employer expects that he ratted them out in order to be released. This too will have consequences, as they try to have him killed before the police know too much. However, those who know Jef are aware that it is against his Bushido to squeal on superiors due to his respect and loyalty.Throughout the film the audience will be informed of the date and time, which suggests the importance of time. The notion of seizing the day, and that time alive is overwhelming. It also offers the audience to ponder life's final solution, which often ends with an abrupt stop of the heart to experience another beat. The fear of death often devastates people's ability to fully live while samurai often contemplate the moment of death, as the moment of perfection. It is a moment where two opposites unite, as the circle of life has gone full circle from no life to life and back to no life. The use of Bushido accentuates this notion, as it draws its philosophical concepts from Buddhism, Zen, Confucianism, and Shintoism. Buddhism provides the samurai of the belief of reincarnation, which strengthens their courage and lowers the guard from fear of death while life allows them to contemplate the wheel of life. In the end, Melville presents the importance of the here and now through his anti-heroic masterpiece Le Samouraï focusing on the moment and the actions that set life in motion.Le Samouraï offers a fascinating cinematic experience on the surface, but it is when the audience begins to reflect over the film and its depiction where Melville's cinematic gift reveals itself. The film reads like a painting, a different interpretation for each viewer. Over time the accumulation of the viewer's experiences will help decipher the film and allow the viewer to uncover their own valuable lessons. Thus, time will allow for the experience to grow with contemplation, and in time Le Samouraï will change with the accumulation of experiences to a condensed purification of cinematic virtuosity.

After watching this mesmerizing film three or four times and remaining confused, I bought the Criterion Collection DVD of the movie. In the 39-page booklet included in the DVD package, writer and director Melville states unequivocally that he wrote Delon's character, Jef Costello, as a schizophrenic. What genius! Melville says he did a lot of research on the subject of schizophrenia before he even started writing.When I read that, all of the missing pieces fell into place and the movie made perfect sense. I have since watched "Le Samourai" five more times and keep longing to see it again. It is hypnotic, and perfect. The knowledge that Costello is a schizophrenic makes him infinitely sympathetic and opens up the film in a completely new and fresh way. Delon's performance is even more unbelievable in this context. I urge everyone who thinks Delon is "sleepwalking" through the movie to watch it again, now with the knowledge that the poor guy is insane.In fact, the police inspector gave us a clue when he said: "He's not normal."I always felt Jef fell in love with the pianist, and Melville confirms this in his printed interview. Those last few moments before Costello is shot are profoundly sad. I feel that Jef, in a moment of clarity, is expressing in his gaze the sadness of his life and, especially, of not being able to express his love for the soulful pianist who saved him from the police.(As a sidebar, I think it is obvious that the two have made love in the scene in her apartment, where he is dressed to leave and she is still naked under her silk robe. He affectionately rumples her hair while they are talking.)Delon's acting in this film, and especially in this last scene, depends so much on his eyes, and this scene especially is profoundly sad. I don't think there has ever been a better actor than Delon and I wish he would make more movies and TV series. He is still, in this time -- August 2011, the most handsome man on the planet (check out the "Fabio Montale" series filmed in 2001 and "Day and Night").Also check out the love scene he has with a teenage unwed mother in "The Widow Couderc" (from a Simenon novel). It is the sexiest thing I have EVER seen. And it is not graphic. It's a great movie. (Actually, my favorite Delon movie.)I wish someone would publish one of the biographies of Delon in English. Actually, I wish someone would publish all of them in English. My bad for not knowing French.BTW, with the Criterion Collection of "Le Samourai", there is a subtitled TV interview with Delon shortly before the film was released. Delon is so sweet and cute, and looks a few times as if he is trying not to crack up. If you adore Delon, you have to have this adorable interview.FYI, in the movie "Le Choc", Delon briefly appears full-frontal in a short shower scene. The movie is a "romp" and delicious. I rented it by choosing from a Catherine Deneuve DVD, because it wasn't available under his movies. But it is Delon who is delicious.Also, notice how affectionate he is with animals in his movies. He gently kisses his horse in "The Leopard", for example, after giving it water, and there always seems to be a kitten/cat somewhere around (check out the end of "Scorpio"). An animal lover, too. What a man.

Excellent produit d’une époque où le cinéma français brillait de tous ses feux !

This is Alain Delon best film, Alain shows in this fantastic film that he is one of the best actors ever. A great character role in The Samourai, The Criterion Collection has polished this great film for image and sound, a pleasure to watch, even on DVD

Soy un admirador de the criterion collection, pero honestamente , el envió daño un poco la caja, y el producto aunque debía de ser nuevo no tenia la iconica estampa de criterion que suele venir en todos sus envoltorios de plastico , desconozco si fue un error de fabrica o no, pero aunado a eso habían ciertos detalles que me hacian pensar que el producto ya habíaJ sido abierto, como un daño interno en el mini-libro de la caja, fuera de eso, el blu ray se reprodujo muy bien, y la edicion es muy recomendable si eres un admirador de esta pelicula

I don’t know much about art films, but Le Samourai delivers aesthetic and wonderful storytelling in spades. Rather than bog down the movie with dialogue, it opts for visual storytelling which it handled superbly by the truly talented actors. The music and sound design are top notch and it holds a level of immersion that one rarely experiences in films. This classic is definitely one to keep in your movie library!

A real masterpiece! Mr. Melville managed very well to show and prove his exceptional talent in this 1967 production. Everything about this "film-noir" is outstanding: Great story line, remarkable casting, wonderful acting, superb cinematography... The events take place within a period of less then three days and the focus of the film is a highly narcissistic contract killer. His "cool" demeanor and his approach to his work very well depicted. The secondary characters of the story are also well-chosen and they do their parts nicely.In addition, the "Special Features" of this Criterion print are invaluable; I think they desrve to be watched --after the film is viewed of course...