Fresh out of prison and hell-bent on revenge, Maurice Faugel, finds himself, once more, on the run from the police after what should have been a quick and simple robbery. Everything points to Maurice's former friend and partner-in-crime, Silien. However, did Silien really rat on Faugel?
Jean Pierre Melville is influenced by American crime movies of the 1930s: shadows, night, trench coats, guns, tough guys, cigarettes, slinky dames, cocktail bars, crooked cops - confining the characters within their own lives and space. Terrific performances, and equally terrific camerawork from Nicolas Hayer - more gris than noir - conjure a rivetingly treacherous, twilit world.