Bob le Flambeur (Bob the Gambler) (1955)

97% of critics liked it
(29 reviews)
89% of users liked it
(4,847 ratings)

Both a tribute to classic American gangster films and the source of inspiration for French New Wave filmmakers, Bob le Flambeur is the first in a series of stylish noirs that Jean-Pierre Melville started in the mid-'50s. Co-scripted by the popular crime writer Auguste Le Breton (Rififi), this is a… More Both a tribute to classic American gangster films and the source of inspiration for French New Wave filmmakers, Bob le Flambeur is the first in a series of stylish noirs that Jean-Pierre Melville started in the mid-'50s. Co-scripted by the popular crime writer Auguste Le Breton (Rififi), this is a story of ex-bank robber and compulsive gambler Bob (Roger Duchesne), who plans a heist at the Deauville casino. As in many films of that genre, he assembles a team of old friends and new acquaintances to do the job and is determined to perform it despite all the odds that continue to pile up before him. The overall tone is admirably lighthearted, however, and despite many stylistic and thematic references to American caper movies, the whole enterprise remains genuinely French. "This is a kind of film that we want to make!" exclaimed the young and rebellious François Truffaut back in 1955. Jean-Luc Godard, in his turn, acknowledged Melville's influence, giving him an extended cameo in Breathless. ~ Yuri German, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: Jean-Pierre Melville
Written By: Auguste Le Breton, Jean-Pierre Melville
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1955 Limited
On DVD: May 4, 2004
Studio: Lionsgate

Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
This light, breezy 1955 heist film is probably the least characteristic movie Jean-Pierre Melville ever made.
Variety Staff, Variety
Lagging direction, so-so thesping and usual femme and lowdown aspects of this type production make this an ordinary entry.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
Its realism is not the reality of life, but of the kind of movies that give shape to the disordered lives of the people who watch movies.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Bob le Flambeur (1955) has a good claim to be the first film of the French New Wave.
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
One of the most curious yet pleasing of all the great French film noirs.
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post
Great picture? No. Cool picture? Oui.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Jean-Pierre Melville's sly and svelte human comedy strikes an articulate cinephiliac give-and-take
, Film4
An overlooked masterpiece.
Boo Allen, Denton Record Chronicle (TX)
Melville at his best
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
At once a charming entertainment, a resonant character study, an ironic morality tale, and a bittersweet celebration of Montmartre.
Jay Antani, Cinema Writer
a generally absorbing and sometimes funny look at the capricious nature of Luck
, Time Out
A wonderful movie with all the formal beauty, finesse and treacherous allure of green baize.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
Super cool.
Alan Morrison, Empire Magazine
A must for those who like their crime capers cool and elegant.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Um verdadeiro clássico do gênero noir, o filme conta com um protagonista fascinante e um roteiro repleto de momentos brilhantes.
Jamie Russell, BBC
Melville's actually more interested in his central character's gentlemanly heroics and fractured obsession with risking everything at the roulette table.
Dan Jardine, Apollo Guide
In a world sliding toward self-interested decadence, Bob le Flambeur maintains his dignity and humanity in the face of long odds.

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

danny d

another genius film directed by melville. the cast, camera work, and script were near perfect and the story was inventive and compelling. i was ready to give this a perfect score and declare it one of my favorite films of all time until an unfortunate final 5 minutes of the film… More
another genius film directed by melville. the cast, camera work, and script were near perfect and the story was inventive and compelling. i was ready to give this a perfect score and declare it one of my favorite films of all time until an unfortunate final 5 minutes of the film that completely spit in the face of logic and common sense, but when an entire film is near flawless and the climax doesnt work out well the film still deserves respect. despite the empty ending this is a wonderful and excellent film.
Stella D

another great heist film from jean pierre melville, once again showing his love for american noir and gangster movies. the title character is a kind, aging thief and degenerate gambler who plans one last elaborate job, the robbery of the deauville casino. of course everything… More
another great heist film from jean pierre melville, once again showing his love for american noir and gangster movies. the title character is a kind, aging thief and degenerate gambler who plans one last elaborate job, the robbery of the deauville casino. of course everything doesn't go off as planned. an important precursor of french new wave and a very obvious influence on ocean's eleven. remade by neil jordan as the good thief, 2003
Michael S

I liked THE GOOD THIEF more.
MJS M

If there?s one thing the French are good for, it?s heist flicks. This is said to be a major precursor to the French New Wave, which every film buff knows as an extremely important movement in the history of film. This was one of the first movies to knowingly imitate the noir style,… More
If there?s one thing the French are good for, it?s heist flicks. This is said to be a major precursor to the French New Wave, which every film buff knows as an extremely important movement in the history of film. This was one of the first movies to knowingly imitate the noir style, which had beforehand not really been a genre but more of a natural aesthetic evolution. Jean-Pierre Melville?s movies were all about coolness, he?s the reason why black suits are the perfect garb for high class badasses. This is a heist film which ends up not being about the heist at all, but of a character who isn?t as smooth as he seems. I really think I?m going to enjoy exploring more of Melville?s work.