Overview
A gripping tale of betrayal and survival unfolds as a thief and an escaped convict team up for a daring heist.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- austere
- brooding
- deliberate
- late night cinephile viewing
- classic crime marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Jean-Pierre Melville's crime film as a masterful, atmospheric, and meticulously executed entry in the French heist tradition.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Corey, Vogel, and Jansen communicate sparsely and approach the jewelry robbery with ritualized precision.
The trio's jewelry-store robbery unfolds through extended near-silent action and careful manipulation of security systems.
Henri Decaë's muted color photography and Melville's trenchcoated figures create a black-and-white-like atmosphere of urban fatalism.
Corey, escaped prisoner Vogel, and ex-detective Jansen converge by chance and form the heist's central team.
Films like Le Cercle Rouge, and why
Rififi
Shared neo-noir atmosphere, disciplined criminals, terse dialogue, and meticulously staged heist procedure.
Le Samouraï
Shared French crime setting, cool fatalism, professional criminals, and understated suspense.
The Asphalt Jungle
Shared ensemble heist structure, procedural precision, and morally bleak underworld drama.
The Killing
Shared elegant caper mechanics, taciturn professionals, and escalating police pursuit.
Movie Details
- Director
- Jean-Pierre Melville
- Release Date
- 1970-10-19
- Runtime
- 140 min
- Rating
- 7.6 / 10 (755)
Cast
- Alain Delon
- Bourvil
- Gian Maria Volonté
- Yves Montand
- Paul Crauchet
- Paul Amiot
- Pierre Collet
- André Ekyan
- Jean-Pierre Posier
- François Périer
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Le Cercle Rouge about?
- Three hardened outsiders form an unlikely team to execute an immaculate Paris jewelry heist while ruthless criminals and an unscrupulous police commissioner close in.
- What is Le Cercle Rouge like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Le Cercle Rouge as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Le Cercle Rouge violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Le Cercle Rouge as moderate.
- What did critics think of Le Cercle Rouge?
- Critics broadly regard Jean-Pierre Melville's crime film as a masterful, atmospheric, and meticulously executed entry in the French heist tradition.
- Which films are like Le Cercle Rouge?
- Films with a similar feel include Rififi, Le Samouraï, The Asphalt Jungle, and The Killing.
- How long is Le Cercle Rouge?
- Le Cercle Rouge runs 140 minutes.
- Where can I watch Le Cercle Rouge?
- In United States, Le Cercle Rouge is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home.
