This spy movie packs thrills , emotion , exciting action scenes , good performances , spectacular car chases, and a moving finale . It concerns a French secret agent named Joss Baumont (Jean Paul Belmondo) is sent to one of the African countries to murder president Njala . However, at the last moment the political climate turns and his superiors decide to sell him to the new African regime ; as the French secret service deals with the African authorities , Joss is double-crossed and condemned to a long-term imprisonment , two years of hard labor . After a daring getaway he goes back to his country and deliberately communicates his previous bosses of his presence promising them to kill Njala (Pierre Saintoins) who has just arrived in France with the official visit . And so begins the manhunt , including Le Ministre (Jean Desailly) , Chief of Police, and Military Adviser . Belmondo being relentlessly chased by his former superiors and a tough agent (Robert Hossein) , while he attempts to see his wife (Elisabeth Margoli) and lover (Cyrielle Clair) .
This is an intriguing film that contains noisy action , suspense , thrills , car chases and anything else . Belmondo steals the show , as always , as he runs and leaps ; he jumps over buildings , driving quickly cars and executes his own stunts . Belmondo sports an inimitable smile while shots and kills ; as usual he combines action with comic episodes . The highlights result to be a dueling filmed in Western-showdown style between Belmondo and Robert Hossein ; furthermore , a suspenseful and surpring ending . Enjoyable acting by main star names , Jean Paul Belmondo and Robert Hossein . Belmondo steals the spectacle , as usual at the time , playing splendidly the secret agent who's double-crossed and is bent on taking his sweet vengeance on those who betrayed him and bring war on the doorstep of noisy Paris . Belmondo makes as his own stunts as well as Jackie Chan , drives rapidly automobiles , including those of the car chase on The Trocadero Plaza . Jean-Paul always performed all the stunts himself but ceased to do so after the accident during the filming of ¨Hold Up¨(1985) . Strong and agreeable secondary cast such as : Jean Desailly as Minister , Cyrielle Clair as lover , Elisabeth Margoni , among others . Interesting and thrilling screenplay by the prestigious Michael and Jacques Audiard based on a novel by Patrick Alexander . Colorful cinematography by Henri Decae , considered to be one of the best French cameramen , shot on location in Camargue, Bouches-du-Rhône, France (Africa scenes) and Château De Ferrières, Ferrières, Seine-et-Marne, France . Wonderful soundtrack by the great Ennio Morricone , including emotive leitmotif , nowadays a classic . Released years before this film, Ennio Morricone's musical theme "Chi Mai" was never intended to be used for cinema . After hearing it on the radio however , actor/co-producer Jean-Paul Belmondo was so enthralled that he suggested it should be put into the musical score of this movie Le professionnel (1981) .
The picture was successful at box office , ranking 4th highest grossing movie of its year in France. Broke the 300,000 admissions mark in Paris ; a record at the time . The motion picture was well directed by Georges Lautner . He was an expert on comedy and action genre , and realized various vehicles for famous and tough French actors , such as Alain Delon (Twisted detective , Les Seins De Glace), Michael Constantin (These was once a cop , Man in the trunk , Take it easy is a waltz) and of course, Jean Paul Belmondo (Cop or hood , Le Guignolo , Joyeuses Paques , Le Professional) . Rating : 6.5/10 , acceptable film for Jean Paul Belmondo fans and action aficionados .
This is an intriguing film that contains noisy action , suspense , thrills , car chases and anything else . Belmondo steals the show , as always , as he runs and leaps ; he jumps over buildings , driving quickly cars and executes his own stunts . Belmondo sports an inimitable smile while shots and kills ; as usual he combines action with comic episodes . The highlights result to be a dueling filmed in Western-showdown style between Belmondo and Robert Hossein ; furthermore , a suspenseful and surpring ending . Enjoyable acting by main star names , Jean Paul Belmondo and Robert Hossein . Belmondo steals the spectacle , as usual at the time , playing splendidly the secret agent who's double-crossed and is bent on taking his sweet vengeance on those who betrayed him and bring war on the doorstep of noisy Paris . Belmondo makes as his own stunts as well as Jackie Chan , drives rapidly automobiles , including those of the car chase on The Trocadero Plaza . Jean-Paul always performed all the stunts himself but ceased to do so after the accident during the filming of ¨Hold Up¨(1985) . Strong and agreeable secondary cast such as : Jean Desailly as Minister , Cyrielle Clair as lover , Elisabeth Margoni , among others . Interesting and thrilling screenplay by the prestigious Michael and Jacques Audiard based on a novel by Patrick Alexander . Colorful cinematography by Henri Decae , considered to be one of the best French cameramen , shot on location in Camargue, Bouches-du-Rhône, France (Africa scenes) and Château De Ferrières, Ferrières, Seine-et-Marne, France . Wonderful soundtrack by the great Ennio Morricone , including emotive leitmotif , nowadays a classic . Released years before this film, Ennio Morricone's musical theme "Chi Mai" was never intended to be used for cinema . After hearing it on the radio however , actor/co-producer Jean-Paul Belmondo was so enthralled that he suggested it should be put into the musical score of this movie Le professionnel (1981) .
The picture was successful at box office , ranking 4th highest grossing movie of its year in France. Broke the 300,000 admissions mark in Paris ; a record at the time . The motion picture was well directed by Georges Lautner . He was an expert on comedy and action genre , and realized various vehicles for famous and tough French actors , such as Alain Delon (Twisted detective , Les Seins De Glace), Michael Constantin (These was once a cop , Man in the trunk , Take it easy is a waltz) and of course, Jean Paul Belmondo (Cop or hood , Le Guignolo , Joyeuses Paques , Le Professional) . Rating : 6.5/10 , acceptable film for Jean Paul Belmondo fans and action aficionados .