Le Cercle Rouge

aka The Red Circle

Poster of Le Cercle Rouge
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Le Cercle Rouge (1970) centers on an escaped convict whose path converges with a master thief and a former police sharpshooter, leading the unlikely trio to plan an ambitious jewel robbery in Paris. As the meticulously executed operation unfolds, a determined police inspector steadily closes in while unwavering professionalism, mutual trust, and unforeseen setbacks place the criminals’ carefully ordered world under increasing strain. This French-Italian crime thriller blends meticulous heist suspense with existential noir, exploring fate, honor, loyalty, and the solitary code that binds those who live beyond the law.

Selected disc options for Le Cercle Rouge

Extras
Criterion box art
Criterion BD-A 4K/US 2022
Studio Canal box art
Studio Canal BD-ALL 4K/UK 2020
Criterion box art
Criterion BD-A/US/OOP 2011
Studio Canal box art
Studio Canal BD-B/UK 2017
Studio Canal box art
Studio Canal BD-B/UK 2010
Criterion box art
Criterion DVD-1/US/OOP 2003
BFI box art
BFI DVD-2 PAL/UK/OOP 2004
Audio Commentary by Ginette Vincendeau
Introduction by Ginette Vincendeau (21:30)
In the Mood for Melville (58:00)
The Perfect Circle (42:07)
Sous le nom de Melville (Code Name: Melville) (2008, 76:37)
“Cinéastes de notre temps: Jean-Pierre Melville (portrait en 9 poses)” - TV Interview Excerpts with Director/Writer Jean-Pierre Melville (1971, 27:19)
“Midi magazine: Jean-Pierre Melville - ‘Le Cercle Rouge’” - TV Interview Segment (1970, 4:37)
“Morceaux de bravoure: Les films policiers - Melville: L’ere partie” - TV Interview Segment (1973, 9:49)
“Pour le cinema” - TV Interview Segment (1970, 5:20)
“Vingt-quatre heures sur la deux” - TV Interview Segment (1970, 3:43)
Interview with Assistant Director Bernard Stora (30:14)
Interview with Author Rui Nogueira (26:14)
Interview with Writer José Glovanni (14:37)
Stills Gallery - Photos, Posters (62, 14 Images)
Biography: Director/Writer Jean-Pierre Melville (3:03)
Re-Release Trailer (2003, 2:04)
Theatrical Trailer (1:54)
“24 heures de la vie d’un clown” (Short, 1946, 18:00)
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Notes

  • Criterion’s 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD editions include a 28-page booklet with writing by Chris Fujiwara (“What is the Red Circle?”), Michael Sragow (“Great Blasphemies”) and John Woo (“Honor, Loyalty, and Friendship”), “Melville on ‘Le Cercle Rouge’” (interview excerpts from “Melville on Melville” (1971) by Rui Nogueira), and a reprinted interview with composer Eric Demarsan.
  • Studio Canal’s 2020 “Vintage World Cinema” 4K Blu-ray includes a booklet with writing by François Guérif. The “Sous le nom de Melville (Code Name: Melville)” extra is also available on Criterion’s Blu-ray of Le Silence de la Mer (1949).
  • Studio Canal’s 2017 Blu-ray is included in the “Melville: The Essential Collection” box set with Bob le flambeur (1956), Léon Morin, prêtre (1961), Le doulos (1962), L’armée des ombres (1969) and Un flic (1972); and includes a 60-page booklet. The “Sous le nom de Melville (Code Name: Melville)” extra is also available on Criterion’s Blu-ray of Le Silence de la Mer (1949). The “In the Mood for Melville” extra is also available on Kino’s Blu-ray of Un flic (1972). The “24 heures de la vie d’un clown” short is also available on Criterion’s Blu-ray of Le Silence de la Mer (1949) and Kino’s Blu-ray of Léon Morin, Priest (1961).
  • Studio Canal’s 2010 “StudioCanal Collection” Blu-ray includes an 18-page booklet with writing by François Guérif. The “Sous le nom de Melville (Code Name: Melville)” extra is also available on Criterion’s Blu-ray of Le Silence de la Mer (1949).
  • Criterion’s DVD includes a 24-page booklet with writing by Michael Sragow and Chris Fujiwara.

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