Synopsis

Gangster impresario Roch Siffredi (Alain Delon �Flic Story, The Leopard) has pre-war Marseille in the palm of his well-manicured hand. But when an upstart Italian mob tries to claim the French port town's vice trade for their own, the resulting gang war leaves Siffredi's partner dead, his theater and nightclub in ruins, his brothel vacant and his allies turned against him. "Kill me fast," Siffredi warns victorious rival Valpone (Riccardo Cucciolla - Sacco and Vanzetti). But Valpone's leering reply, "that would be absurd," seals the destinies of both men. Tortured, humiliated, and cast into in an insane asylum, Siffredi is stripped of everything except an all-consuming vendetta against Valpone.

For Borsalino & Co., director Jacques Deray (Flic Story) and producer/star Delon pull out all the stops to create a film of uncompromising violence, impeccable period detail and lucid pulp storytelling. Mixing gunfights, bombings, arson, stabbings, and assassinations with a meticulous plot that is equal parts Dashiell Hammett and Sergio Leone, Borsalino & Co. is an action-packed crime film of sly wit and passionate vision. Magnetic performances from Delon and Catherine Rouvel (Va Savoir), as Siffredi�s brothel-keeper love, place Borsalino & Co. in the front ranks of the French gun-operas made in the wake of Delon�s international smash hit, The Sicilian Clan.

Critical Acclaim

Kino's DVD of Borsalino & Co. is a dazzling disc, with a handsome enhanced transfer showing off the film's lush production values, from the huge sets to Alain Delon's spotless clothing. The audio is also top-quality. - DVD TALK

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