With these words by an old organ-grinder, the film (German title "Der Mann aus Marseille") ends.. and leaves me wondering. What was that? Twelve years (of which six in prison) in the life of a "gentleman gangster" in Southern France? Belmondo sure acts the role, somewhat charmingly. But even though he has most screen time, neither his background nor his character development are made very plausible. We learn he is a loyal friend, has useful friends, can shoot well (but always after the foe had shot first), and looks good. Claudia Cardinale just looks good here, and doesn't have much else to do or say. The part of Xavier I found the most interesting and touching.

Was this designed to be a (very short) TV mini series as well? Freeze-frames between episodes gave me that idea, but at, say, four episodes of 25 minutes it couldn't have been such a Big Thing either.

Plot-wise, it packs a lot: gang war, courtroom, gang war, prison life, WW2, mine-sweeping (which I found most fascinating), and back to gang war. But in the given playtime, none of those were lingered on much, and left me a not very deep impression.

Plus point: the French was spoken very clearly (while in La grande illusion yesterday I hardly understood a word :^), so it's good for language learners. Also, the discussions about handicapped (Freddy had lost his legs, Xavier his left arm) was interesting. Also, in a minor role (Un homme de main / Burglar), a rather young Gerard Depardieu.