Le Deuxième Souffle (1966)

In the shadowy and perilous underworld of 1960's France, notorious gangster Gustave 'Gu' Minda makes a daring prison escape, leaving behind a trail of chaos and bloodshed. As the lone survivor of a trio of fugitives, Gu navigates his way to Paris, seeking refuge in the arms of his enigmatic lover, Manouche, and the protection of Alban, her loyal bodyguard. In parallel, the shrewd and relentless Commissary Blot is hot on the trail of a mob-orchestrated shooting that entangles the underworld's most venomous characters, including the cunning mobster Jo Ricci and the doomed gangster, Jacques the Lawyer. As the intricate web of crime and betrayal unravels, Blot's suspicions turn towards Gu, connecting him to the deadly plot. With Italy as his intended sanctuary, Gu finds himself cash-strapped. His path crosses with Orloff, a friend and fellow criminal, who tempts him with a risky proposition - a high-stakes heist of an armored truck in Marseille. The crew comprises Paul Ricci, the brother of Jo Ricci, and the seasoned crooks Antoine and Pascal. As they plan their daring scheme, the loquacious Inspector Fardiano spearheads the investigation. However, the tenacious Commissary Blot remains unswayed, his instincts drawing him closer to Gu, the mastermind he believes is orchestrating the grand heist. The narrative hurtles towards a thrilling climax as Gu grapples with his dangerous life choices, the escalating stakes of the heist, and the relentless pursuit of Inspector Blot. Will he succeed in his final job and escape to Italy with Manouche, or will Blot's dogged determination lead to his downfall? "Le Deuxième Souffle" is a pulsating crime saga that plunges the viewer into a labyrinth of intrigue, danger, and suspense, where one misstep can be fatal.

Le Deuxième Souffle is an action movie featuring Lino Ventura and directed by Jean-Pierre Melville.

Le Deuxième Souffle is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.

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