Michel Constantin Movies

In this undistinguished clichéd thriller, a convict tries to go straight, but circumstances conspire against him. Some professional thugs con a group of naive delinquents into a burglary that is only meant to be a decoy for the police, so the real and more lucrative crime can be committed without interference. When the delinquents discover they have been taken for a ride, they resolve to get revenge and go after the master criminals. Enough blood is shed to supply the Red Cross for decades as these groups face off. In the meantime, one of the crooks only wants some money to send his young son to the U.S. for a life-saving operation -- and he's willing to do anything to get it. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Considered more as a vehicle to display Jean-Paul Belmondo than as an independent, wartime action story, Les Morfalous rides the crest of the French actor's popularity and delivers a tale that highlights his persona. Belmondo is a member of the French Foreign Legion sent with others to Tunisia in 1943 to recover a fortune in gold from a certain French bank before the Germans get to it. Then the Legionnaires are ambushed by German troops and the few left alive manage to get hold of the treasure but they cannot agree on what to do with their booty. Between their disagreements and the surrounding German army, the action heats up. Belmondo fans will be disappointed that he does not perform any of his famous stunts in this film -- always a drawing card -- and some viewers may find the humor too crude. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

The setting for this story is Rahatlcoum, a Roman colony in North Africa, but the "colonists" watch television, have gay bars, trade unions, and traffic problems -- something like the "Flintstones" in an Afro-French incarnation, slipping around on Monty Pythonesque dialogue. A gay Jules César's (Michel Sarrault) expensive vacation causes the population to grumble and gripe, they would rather have mechanic Ben Hur Marcel (Coluche) take Jules' place as their exalted leader. Once she gets out of jail, Cleopatra (Mimi Coutellier) declares that old Ben is actually her long-lost half-brother, and lo and behold, Marcel of the chariot taxis is named the new pharaoh, Aminemphet. French critics loved this film and American critics hated it, leading one to suspect that being French helps considerably in responding to its humor. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

The Inglorious Bastards was the alternate title for the Italian adventure yarn Counterfeit Commandos. The main characters are five soldiers facing court-martial in World War II France. The quintet consists of Bo Svenson, Fred Williamson, Peter Hooten, Michael Pergolami, and Jackie Basehart. The men escape, heading to the safety of the Swiss border; along the way, they pull off several random acts of above-and-beyond heroism. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

When a young Englishwoman (Mimsy Farmer) crosses the paths of an annual hunting party, two of the hunters rape and try to kill her. She manages to shoot one of them and escape. The rest of them decide to hunt her down. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Leon's uncle is the head of a criminal gang. Leon (Jacques Dutronc) has lived his life innocent of contact with his uncle (Michel Constantin) and knowledge of the gang. After the uncle has died and left the control of the gang to Leon, gang members show up on his doorstep wanting to be told what to do. In this French comedy, Leon shows an unexpected talent for crime. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

When intruders interfere in the robbery of Le Metaf (Michel Constantin) and his gang and a girl is murdered, they are set up for blackmail by an underworld figure who wants them to do a job for him. The thugs are double-crossed when they do the job, but Le Metaf wins free of their designs and gets a girlfriend in the process. This crime/caper film is in French. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

This French-produced thriller was shot entirely in English. Jean-Louis Tritignant stars as Lucien, a hit man who goes to Los Angeles to end the life of an important local mobster. The mobster's heirs, who hired Lucien, had already hired yet another hit man (Roy Scheider) to kill him. He speaks very little English, and the lifestyles and customs of Los Angelenos puzzle him completely. One of the films highlights is its use of many unusual decayed and shabby sites in the Los Angeles area, such as Venice Beach. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

This French crime drama tells the story of an ill-fated quartet of burglars and hoodlums. Two older burglars, near retirement, dream of making one last big heist. One of them has a daughter, whom he has tried to keep away from his business. Still, when she falls in love with a young thug, her father feels he must help the young man. He shows him the ropes as best he can, and brings him along on a bank job. One of the older men is killed, and the boy is captured. The girl helps him escape from jail, with unfortunate results. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

This French language film is a typical action/crime film by director Georges Lautner. Serge (Jean Yanne) is a jewel thief, doing time in prison for a robbery. He was turned in by his wife (Mireille Darc), who is now the mistress of the head of the gang. The police let Serge out of prison, hoping that he will lead them to the missing loot. Instead, he runs into trouble with the gang members, who are not entirely happy to see him back, since they set him up to take the fall for them. He is also at risk from the police who are following him, as not all of them are on the up-and-up. Fortunately, his back is being covered by an old prison friend who helps him stay alive. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi