Matthew Stechel And He Does A Damn Fine Job Of It Too! Seriously he's dangling out helicopters...jumping around from rooftop to rooftop...riding the top of a speeding subway train trying to get a jump on one of the bad guys who thought he escaped (that scene was SO ripped off or paid homage to by the climatic scene in SPEED--i mean its very similar---Bellmondo even ducks the signal red light that whizzes by just like Keeanu at the end of Speed---its pretty awesome) All while trying to apprehend a serial killer who's going' around killing women and taunting him while doing so. The plot couldn't be more basic or more been there seen that---and yet the very kick ass action sequences--which were completely shot naturally--(i know this was made in the 70's but even then--doing stuff like this without stunt doubles or insurance claims or some trick photography--etc---was not as common as the awesome films from that era including French Connection and The Seven -Ups would have you believe) make it worth seeing.Um i like the way the killer kills a woman while she's grinding coffee grounds in one scene and coffee beans are everywhere when Bellmundo gets there to explore what's happened...also the sequence at the end where bellmendo realizes that the guy in front of him is the killer--blah, blah, blah. ACTION DAMNIT ACTION!!!! which is what you're thinking when there isn't action happening. Luckily there's a lot of it on screen--and that's why you see this movie.

The_Void What we have here is a crime thriller that includes most of the clichés of the genre, but does it in such a way that it feels original due to the execution. Henri Verneuil's film is really not what I was expecting it to be at all; it's actually a lot more than just a film about cops hunting a vicious psychopath and while not everything about the film works, what does work works brilliantly and this is certainly among the best European crime thrillers of the 1970's. The film is a French and Italian co-production, and while it's clear that the film is much more French than Italian; we still get some trademarks of Italian cinema thrown in and the film has elements of both the Polizi and Giallo genres. The plot simply focuses on an unknown serial killer that targets loose women in Paris by way of phone calls and later murder. Commissioner Jean Letellier and Inspector Moissac are put on the case and have to go through the Parisian underworld before coming close to catching the killer and discovering his insane reason for murdering the women of Paris.The thing that really makes this film stand out is the leading performances courtesy of Jean-Paul Belmondo and Charles Denner. The pair fit into their roles excellently individually and have a great chemistry also, which director Henri Verneuil is keen to exploit as much as possible as the two actors provide the film with most of its best moments and also deliver some comedy. The film is not overly gory and the focus is never on the murders; although there are a few featured and the way that the director focuses on the killer's black gloves is a nice nod towards Giallo. The film features many of the crime film staples such as car chases and shootouts; a sequence that sees the main protagonist chase the killer in the middle of the film is excellently staged and very thrilling. The film changes pace many times throughout but the director always manages to keep things interesting. Adalberto Maria Merli's portrayal of the villain is suitably demented and detestable and the way that the film boils down towards the conclusion is well done and completely unexpected. Overall, this is an excellent film that doesn't deserve to be forgotten about and therefore comes highly recommended!

Mikew3001 This French movie by crime and action movie director Henri Verneuil presents Jean-Paul Belmondo at his best! He plays a Clint-Eastwood-like hard boiled detective in Paris, chasing a mentally disturbed serial killer who's already killed several women. Belmondo is acting in his usual style, with less words than action and some witty remarks for every scene. Next to some scary murders and a disturbing one-eyed killer, the highlight of this movie is a 15-minute chase which starts on a house's roof and is continued by bike, cars and a thrilling subway stunt sequence, all filmed as good as well-known chase scenes like "Bullitt", "French Connection" or "Speed". If you like dark serial killer action, hard-boiled guys and breath-taking action sequences, watch this cool 1975 movie!

Phroggy This one has nothing really new to offer, but is an exemple of >competent, lively filmmaking with good performances by everybody >involved (though obviously right-wing). >vehicle "Code of Silence", by Andrew Davis. Belmondo is his old >tough-guy self, though one might like hime more when he plays >his spunky Parisian self in a more humorous way. At the time, >this kind of movie made lots and lots of money at the box-office >; now they don't do 'em anymore and complains about the lack of >box-office appeals for French films at the local box-office… go >figure. T