Chnouf

Henri (Jean Gabin, Touchez pas au grisbi) is brought in following a successful stint in the US to head up operations by gang boss Lisky. Tasked with increasing sales and reforming the drugs distribution network he unpicks every aspect of the business, but pushers don’t want to change and the cops are on his tail. Written by Auguste Le Breton, author of Rififi, and brought to the screen by Henri Decoin (Not Guilty), the influence of American noir is given a French translation as we see the then novel drugs trade depicted in remarkable detail. Out of the inky shadows, scenery chewing support is given by wonderful character actors, including Lino Ventura (Illustrious Corpses), Albert Rémy (The Train) and Magali Noël (Rififi).